Counter Productive

Making late-comers do sit-ups (yesterday’s post) has backfired badly. Far from enforcing punctuality, the fear of punishment had kept many members away from the Garden this morning. Not only did Harish Wadhwa and Ramila Mistry (who were pulled up yesterday) not turn up, even Khatoon Baig, who is unfailingly regular (but late at times) chose to stay away today. In fact, there were hardly any late-comers this morning!
Renu Babani made it a point to “mark” her attendance before starting her rounds of the Garden – lest she be taken to task for reporting late for the exercises. Only two brave ladies, Monthi Serrao and Geeta Sardhana joined the exercises behind time. All other habitual late-comers, including Kajal and Dilip Babani, Pratap Bhatt, Sushma Gupta, Prakash Motwani, Sandhya Narang and Kiran Sajjan preferred to skip the Garden altogether than show up late. “Dar gaye saare!” remarked Yusuf Rassiwala (right) who was himself making an appearance after two weeks.
Yusuf-bhai may draw comfort from being among the most punctual people, but his infrequent appearances have become somewhat of a joke. He has no answer why he does the vanishing act off and on. Someone asked him if he had a grudge against the Club and still, he had no answer. “Then why this kolaveri di (vicious rage)?” demanded Bhaswati Bose, invoking the current musical hit on the Net. Yusuf caught on and burst out laughing.
Srichand Arora (left) too became a subject of animated discussion. Unlike Yusuf, he is both regular and punctual about his morning routine. So his absence from the Garden for the third day running has sparked a great deal of speculation and anxiety among members. Shekhawat has been trying repeatedly to call him, but “his phone is coming continually switched off”. Let us hope this should find him in fine fettle and that there’s no cause for worry.
Renu Babani:
Seriously, the members haven't taken Mrs Khan's reprimand to heart? I am sure those absent today had a valid reason, and not this petty issue. The males were far more in numbers today and this has become a habit now. The ladies were fewer in number and it's time for everyone to get back to their routine at the Garden. Strange, as humans, we tend to make so many excuses, but are they all really valid ones? So hopefully we will see more members tomorrow.
Bhaswati Bose:
All you late-comers don't worry, Teacher-ji will not make you murgas any more. So Dilip-bhai, Harish-bhai, Ramila, Kajal -- Why bunk-a, bunk-a, Come back-a, back-a... (to be read in rhythm with Kolaveri-di)!
Dilip Babani:
Dar toh lagega hi! Murga banne mein takleef nahi hai; par murga banne mein pant fhat sakti hai peeche se, aur izzat ka falooda ho jayega. Otherwise nobody is afraid. Class ke bachche bahut ustad hai masti karne mein -- bas bahana chahiye.