Dark Morning

The mornings are getting darker as the sun takes longer to rise. Our members are taking even longer to rise (from their beds), resulting in a sharp increase in the number of late-comers. Today, being the beginning of the week, many simply gave up even trying to visit the Garden. Srichand Arora, Sitaram Hivarkar, Razia Khan and Bhaswati Bose were among those who stayed away.
Consequently, we had to make do with Kishor Babani’s recordings of sufi songs and jokes' narration for all our entertainment of the morning. Only towards the end of the exercises did Bapu Rane become his sprightly self, making funny noises and imitating others, including Ved Prakash Grover’s high-pitched laughter. It must be said that this 69-year-old gent is getting younger and incredibly agile for his age with each passing day.
In every other way, it was an uneventful morning – though news of Pratap Bhatt’s wife having undergone a surgery for her cervical column last week took many by surprise. She is still under observation and post-operative care at Lilavati Hospital, Bandra – which accounts for Bhatt’s absence from the Garden during the past fortnight or so.
Vasudev Bhateja (left) of the Yoga Group came with another piece of disturbing news. He had four shops near Crawford Market which have been reduced to ashes in the blaze last Saturday. The shops were rented out and he isn’t even sure about their insurance status. So disturbed is he that he did not have the heart to go and see what is left of the shops. Worse, his wife is currently hospitalized.
We can only commiserate with him in this dark hour.

Renu Babani:
Yes, let us pray for the speedy recovery of Mr Bhatt's wife. Hopefully, she should be home soon.
Mr Vasudev looked upset, which is understandable. It must be hard on him and his family. May God give him the inner strength during this tough time.
Today was a normal Monday morning. Naturally, after the weekend, everyone was in their own world. Tuesday's turnout should be better.