All Set to Go

With less than 24 hours to go, Hari Singh Shekhawat had the final briefing (left) for Manori soon after the exercises. The bus, he said, would leave the Garden at 8.00 a.m. tomorrow – by which time everyone is expected to occupy their seats. In all, 33 members (and guests) have enlisted for the picnic, each of whom would be allotted a seat number in the bus. Tea would be served before departure and arrangements for breakfast have been made at the resort in Manori, upon arrival. In effect we would be traveling to Marve Beach (in Malad) by bus, from where it is a 15-minute ferry ride across Manori Creek to the picnic spot. According to Shekhawat, we have the option to walk it or take a tonga from the jetty, since the resort is located about a kilometer away from where we should disembark. A predominantly fishing village, the area is known for its East Indian culture (in fact, the island used to be called ‘Mini Goa’) with a variety of traditional Portugese dishes like pork vindaloo and sarpotel, chicken raan, stuffed pomfret, dry Bombay duck chutney and prawn chilly fry available. Besides there are two popular ashrams of the Nath Sampraday and the famous Samudreshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Vipassana Pagoda, the world's largest structure containing the bone relics of the Buddha can also be seen from there.
Incidentally, the picnic has got in the way of Santosh Tyagi’s (above) plans for a birthday bash tomorrow. Today being a week-day (see her niece, Neha’s comments yesterday), she wanted to treat the Club at the Garden on Saturday when everybody would be more relaxed. Now she will have a ‘combined celebration’ with Shekhawat and Mumtaz Jahan whose respective wedding anniversary and birthday would follow this month. Meanwhile, everybody clapped and sang, wishing Santosh many happy returns of the day.
There’s news from Khatoon Baig (left) also. She has left for the holy city of Mecca (in Saudi Arabia) to perform Umrah and will be back in a fortnight – in time for the trip to Goa next month. Our good wishes go with her and we congratulate her for undertaking the pilgrimage now. May Allah’s benevolence rest on her at all times.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* "You may be in charge, but I shall have my freedom of speech. So do hear me out!"
* "Abhi toh main jawaan hoon! See how cheerful I look... the best way to live and let live."
Srichand Arora:
Santosh-ji, all members of Big Laaf wish you a very Happy Birthday and many, many happy returns of the day. God bless you. I never knew that you have someone in Singapore. My son is also there. Next time when I go there, I shall have your niece's address and try to meet her in case you want.