Telephone Effect

They are calling it the ‘telephone effect’. Till barely a week back, attendance at the Garden seldom crossed a single-digit figure. Today, we were 23. As Razia Khan put it: “What could I do when Shekhawat-ji was so persistent on the phone?”
Razia was among the dozen-odd members who, for various reasons, had disrupted their morning exercise routine for the past month or so. Now, with daily reminders over the phone from Hari Singh Shekhawat, they have all realized that lying low is no longer an option. “Aap kam-se-kam apne shakal toh dikhaiye,” Ramila Mistry quoted Shekhawat as saying, which resulted in her making an appearance yesterday.
Significantly, Shekhawat himself has been keeping indifferent health. But as always, he is more concerned about the health of the Club’s members and keeps impressing on the benefits of daily exercise. At present, he is particularly worried about Yusuf Rassiwala, another long-term absentee: “He keeps promising on the phone that he’d be coming to the Garden, but does not show up.”
Now, more members means more women… and more chatter (above pic) during exercises. They gave Razia a hard time today while she conducted the exercises, till Dilip Babani took up for her by making “Ssssh… Ssssh” noises (and a “Do not disturb” order) only to invite the wrath of Sunita Jajodia and Co. Thereafter, he clammed up.
One person everybody missed was Harish Wadhwa (left). Of late, he has been quite regular at the Garden; but on his birthday today, he had to do the disappearing act. Nevertheless, we all raised an extra laugh for him in absentia. This is once again, wishing him a rollicking life ahead – with complete wellness, fabulous career and a wonderful future. Happy Birthday, Harish!
Srichand Arora:
Harish-ji, Happy Birthday and Many, Many Happy Returns of the Day (in advance)!
Dilip Babani:
Happy Birthday, Harish-bhai. May God bless you. Have a nice time with your wife and children!
Bhaswati Bose:
Janamdin Mubarak, Harish-bhai! We missed you and the sweets today. The shernis of the Club won't let you escape so easily. We will wait for the goodies -- aaj nahi toh kal sahi!
Renu Babani:
Many happy returns of the day, Harish-bhai. I am sure you had a great birthday and celebrated with your family. Unfortunately you didn't come to the Garden, but you seriously didn't think that you will get off that easily, did you? The members have increased today and it is all thanks to our Principal whose determination continues. Despite his own health issues, he ensures that he constantly calls the absentees so that they eventually turn up. Hopefully everyone turns up soon and we shall be back to the usual numbers.
Harish Wadhwa:
Thank you so much, for remembering me on my birthday and for that extra laugh. It means a lot to me. Could not make it to the Garden today, as I had some urgent assignment. Special thanks to my dear "Monster" (I mean Blog Monster), Arora-ji, Dilip-bhai, Bhaswati-ji, Grover-sa'ab, Renu-ji and others. I seek blessings from everyone who is elder to me and the good wishes from my peer group.