Hectic Activity

On a morning marked by hectic activity, Hari Naraiyani (below) was at his cranky best. All through the exercises, he remained unusually silent, keeping to himself like a sullen school boy. No sooner were we done with the prayers than he began showing his kinks. The local Shiv Sena contestant for the civic polls was around (post of February 1), once again with her entourage and for some reason, Sitaram Hivarkar (left) decided to entreat her with a bhajan: “Mujhe apni sharan mein le lo…”

From nowhere, Hari-bhai butted in, insisting that everybody listen to Kishor Babani’s joke instead. Kishor politely told him to keep quiet. But Hari-bhai was not one to listen. “Sunoh… hamare paas ek Birbal hai!” he piped. The more he persisted, the more people ignored him, till a terribly agitated Kishor glowered at him and with finger on his lips, signaled him to shut up. When that too made no difference, Kishor simply broke out of the group to save himself further embarrassment.
But Hari-bhai was not done yet. Shekhawat announced that for the past two days, a mysterious “Poonam” was making life difficult by not allowing him to book the resort at Manori Beach. He said that in a worst-case scenario, we would carry packed lunch and bottles of Bisleri… but go we must on February 11. This got Hari-bhai’s goat.

He wants “buffet lunch”, not “packed lunch”. So for the rest of the morning, he kept grieving and grumbling, to the extent of asking for a change to “any resort other than Manori”.
Meanwhile Jagmohan Papneja, who has been taking part in the exercises for the past few days, treated the Club to phapda-jalebi and dhoklas (left). The reason for this unusual generosity is best known to him – though Srichand Arora and Shekhawat would like us believe that he “rode the mare” on this day. In yet another gratuitous gesture, an elderly couple we see every day at the Garden, gave away beautiful key-chains to all members!
Surely, there’s more to all this than meets the eye.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* "My song shall bring peace to everyone in the morning!"
* "I offer you this plate as I come with good tidings... Just make me part of the group!"
Srichand Arora:
It has been made clear to all members that no new member will be included in the final list which was already freezed on 17th of December, 2011. Hence, dear members, please rest assured that we will stick to our statement. Yes, we have kept one option open: If 80% of our members agree to include a new member, then the power to take a decision is left to the Managing Committee.
Harish Wadhwa:
Monthi-ji seems to be telling Papneja-ji: "Phapda-jalebi se kya hoga? Rasgulle lao, mithai lao, Brijwasi ke laddoo lao, pakode lao... kuchh toh badlo bhai!"