Bright Lights

These days, the sun officially rises over Mumbai city around 6:48 a.m. But it is not really day-break before 7:00 a.m. – the time we start our exercises. Many of us who arrive before time are treated to a wonderful spectacle of the Garden lit up by an array of bright lights (left) – not to mention the still-illuminated billboards and hoardings on its periphery.
Against this surreal backdrop, shadowy figures flit by on the walking track, dodging one another and at times raising a “Jai Sri Krishna!” Sunita Jajodia can be heard holding forth on worldly matters from her designated bench. At the far end, Tara Chand Seth would be seated on a high bench, swinging his legs after a brisk walk.
It is only later, when darkness lifts and the various forms and faces become recognizable (left) that we’d know we are on familiar ground.
Today’s brightest moment came with Srichand Arora making a surprise appearance, ears plugged to the leads of his cell-phone and like a pre-programmed robot, walking to the middle to conduct the exercises. Nobody asked him to. Nor could he have heard anybody over those ear plugs. Not to miss the comic situation, Nafisa Sayed promptly took a firkee of him – till he removed the ear plugs and realised that the joke was on him.
Otherwise, it was a normal day, as winter days tend to be – low attendance, few jokes, restrained behaviour… Even the friskiest become composed in these conditions. Still, the Badmaash Company had their share of fun and laughter after exercises – the female Babanis, Renu and Kajal joining them for the chai session.
Renu Babani's PIC SPEAK:
* PEACE, serenity, calm and beauty! Mumbai at its best before a hectic day begins.
* See how I ensure they follow my lead. Whether they listen otherwise is another story.
Harish Wadhwa:
Hey, you guys had a nice time at Chai!?! I missed it as I woke up late! I know Kishor-da will compensate and Bose-babu will update me on the developments. Renu-ji did you also take the lead to follow-up with others to join the Chai today?