Cold Feet

It’s a typical case of Introduction being bigger than the book. The gossip session preceding the exercises tends to overstretch to such an extent that the actual exercises have to be rushed through. Yusuf Rassiwala today declined to conduct the exercises saying that he would only delay things further. Likewise, Srichand Arora was reluctant, as he would be unable to make up for the lost time. Ultimately, Sitaram Hivarkar had to conduct the exercises – in pin-drop silence and without a moment to waste.
The reason for the delay this morning was the seemingly unending debate on whether or not to go ahead with the Kashmir trip. Apparently, most members have developed cold feet over the week-end, despite Hari Singh Shekhawat’s assurance on booking a special AC two-tier coach on the Jammu Tawi Express. But he would require 42 passengers to fill the coach and barring Rassiwala and Razia Khan, nobody looks inclined.
To confound matters, Mumtaz Jahan informed that costs in Srinagar could increase since her tour operator has come up with a revised package for 10 days, instead of seven. The new estimate of Rs24,000 all-told (inclusive of rail fare) was found to be exorbitant, if not unaffordable. Nevertheless, on Rassiwala’s suggestion, Shekhawat would start collecting cash from tomorrow so as to get an idea on how many are willing to go on the trip -- tentatively fixed for June 1 to 13, 2012. Time is running out if the special coach has to be booked.