Goa Exodus

With two days to go, preparations for the Goa trip have picked up. According to Hari Singh Shekhawat, altogether 19 people (including outsiders/ non-members) have paid up for this weekend getaway at Calangute Beach for a 4day/ 3night stay, beginning March 23. They have been booked at the following beach resort:
ESTRELA DO MAR,
Khobra Waddo,
Calangute, Goa 403516.
Tel: 0832 2279085
Since quite a few in the group are senior citizens and would not be accompanied by family members, Kishor Babani handed out printed slips detailing the address and contact numbers of the resort. Shekhawat’s cell number, 9321029686 has also been mentioned by way of abundant caution for the families in Mumbai to get in touch… just in case.
For many like Santosh Tyagi, Nafisa Sayyad and Nahid Khan, this would be their first trip to Goa and naturally, they are looking forward to it with growing excitement and nervousness – more so, since they have never before ventured out of home alone. The sad part however, is that Fehmida Khan would be pulling out due to illness. From the time this news came in, Shekhawat has been scouting for a replacement because no refunds would be made on her bookings.
There’s another bother, though minor: Who would conduct the exercises in the Garden when the Goa group is gone? In the absence of ‘regular teachers’ like Nahid, Razia Khan and Yusuf Rassiwala, the burden would fall mainly on Srichand Arora and Sitaram Hivarkar. Chances are one of them would have to do double duty – conducting both the laughter and free-hand exercises.
Amid these deliberations, Vinod Sehgal (right) of the local Punjabi Association came in to invite us for the Baisakhi celebration on April 14. This is a ticketed event, held every year at the neighboring Garden No 2 to usher in the Hindu new year. But there would be enough complimentary passes floating around since many of our people are members of Sehgal’s association also.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* "Hey, listen to this one, it is really funny."
* "I am not a member, but can I say something please."
Harish Wadhwa:
* Met another sher puttar in Vinod Sehgal-saab of the Punjabi Club, who was great company today at the BC Chai. Hey, did you notice he had salt-and-pepper hair and good looks like me?
* Don't worry Blog Monster, there are many in our team who can shoulder the responsibility of the exercise and laugh sessions. We are not short of good people. By the way, let us have more fun when the big cats are away, rejoicing at Goa!
Renu Babani:
Harish-bhai, perhaps you should start conducting the exercises while the rest are having a blast in Goa. It will be interesting to see that.