Day 962

Pic of the Week

THE MOST 'INCREDIBLE' MOMENT IN THE WEEK GONE BY!

Impromptu Picnic

Picnic planning

Why should Shekhawat and Arora be having all the fun? Or the others with them on the Himachal Tour? They are having the best of weather, the sights and sounds, hotel stay, travel… And here we are holding fort in Mumbai, going through the daily humdrum of morning exercises ad nauseum.
This became the subject of a heated discussion today with everyone complaining that we too deserve a break. Suddenly Geeta Sardhana dropped a clanger. “Let us go for a day picnic, today itself!” she challenged.
Surprise of surprises, there was not a single dissenting voice. Someone suggested a resort near Virar, another near Mira Road, a third near Kalyan… Sunita Jajodia suggested a pilgrimage spot that would entail taking a train to Dadar, switching to the main line and taking the Ambernath local. “I will pack food from home for everybody,” she volunteered.

Geeta Sardhana

“Let us contain ourselves to a maximum of two hours travel time,” Monthi Serrao advised. “We may contact Tour and Travels right away for a small bus, not a ‘bada-bada bus’ as Shekhawat keeps saying. How much will that cost? Maximum Rs500 per head?”
“But first decide where we are going,” Tara Chand interjected.
Chhota Kashmir came up and Nafisa Sayyad turned it down saying that the place had “dried up”. Sushma Gupta informed that Aarey Milk Colony was also no longer what it used to be in her school days. And so the rigmarole continued with everybody beating around the bush, till a kind of consensus emerged about not going anywhere but having a picnic with pot lunch in the Garden itself!
Now this was the anti-climax – the height of desperation, just to get even on the Himachal Tour group. In effect, it had all come down to being dressed up and having nowhere to go. Time was against us… if only Geeta Sardhana had come up with this picnic idea a day earlier so that we could prepare better. “She needs to start taking Mentos,” quipped Bhaswati Bose. “Her dimaag ki batti lights up late!”
Harish Wadhwa:
The Holi pics (in slideshow) have come out really nice. Thanks, Blog Monster.

Good Friday 2013

Invoking the blessings of the Almighty

Today was Good Friday. While mourning the crucifixion of Christ, let us also invoke an important lesson enshrined in The Bible (2.24): “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” No religion other than Christianity, compels us (by example) to introspect on our personal values in like manner.
Monthi Serrao, the only Christian among us, was obviously preoccupied with her church obligations to be able to visit the Garden this morning. But yesterday, she left us with a noble thought which, in all our madness, had clean escaped us.

Monthi Serrao

Why, she asked, don’t we start a collection box in the Club wherein unused medicines in our homes may be deposited and later, directed to the poor and needy? In the same vein, she suggested that we might also start collecting old but wearable clothes and once in a while, deliver them in bulk to some NGO or charitable organization engaged in such activities.
Now, this is something so basic (yet necessary) that it is only surprising why nobody had thought of it earlier. We are a 40-plus strong Club and surely, there would be enough old clothes to load a mini van every two or three months on a regular basis. The medicine distribution though, could be dicey. But with the intervention of a qualified medical practitioner, that too can be streamlined. As of now, we are handicapped by not having a doctor in our midst. We need to identify one who can spare the time and get this started as well. These small acts of generosity, which does not cost anybody anything, can go a long way in providing relief and succour to the needy.
Thank you, Monthi for planting this thought.

10 Days of ‘Freedom’

Ringa Ringa Roses...

Shekhawat, Srichand Arora, Nahid Khan and all other movers and shakers of the Club have left on the 10-day tour of Himachal Pradesh – moving and shaking in a train even as you read this. Tomorrow morning that train will deposit them at Amritsar. The following day, they will hit the highway for a 12-hour drive towards Vaishno Devi.
Their absence from the Garden was strongly felt this morning. Regulars on the walking track stopped by before the exercises to inquire whether there would be ‘any laughing’ today. Indeed, the turnout was abysmal (partly also because of the Holi hangover from yesterday) and the place wore a deserted look.

Sitaram Hivarkar

But as people trickled in, a strange phenomenon emerged: Barring two, none of the members had their caps on. Clearly, the Arora-phobia had evaporated. Monthi Serrao was the first to notice this. “Yehhhh!” she exclaimed, throwing up her hands. “Ten days of azadi from caps!!!”
Arora was amused upon hearing this. “I knew nobody would wear the caps,” he said from the train as it neared Ratlam Junction. He remarked that it was raining in those parts and that “the group was having a swell time in the train”. Shekhawat was already talking of a Kerala tour later this year, Arora informed.
At the Garden, the outstation tours became a sore point with some members. “Not everyone can afford it,” Sitaram Hivarkar opined. “I live on my pension. I cannot ask my sons to take money out of their domestic budget to finance my pleasure trips. Why don’t we simply stick to one-day picnics as we were doing earlier?”
While Tara Chand pointed out that there was no compulsion to join one picnic or the other, Pratap Bhatt took up for Sitaram, arguing that the trips to Goa, Kashmir and now, Himachal were alienating members who cannot afford them. “We should stop this practice,” he urged Sitaram. The debate continues.
Harish Wadhwa:
Time for new leaders to emerge and take centre-stage. Now that the Big Cats are away, it is time for others to enjoy life more than normal. Freedom is the word. So guys have fun!

Holi 2013

Holi Hai!

 


When pictures speak louder than words...

For once, no text is added, deliberately. These colourful moments are to be cherished. They will never come back again.

Holi brought joy, togetherness and warmth in everyone's heart at Lokhandwala Garden No 4. --Jagmohan Papneja

We all enjoyed the lovely Holi celebration. -- Dilip Babani

Had good fun, one and all. Nice and colourful pics. All those seeing Arora-ji's pic, please note that he is fine and kicking and now, on the way to Amritsar. And what he is being forced-fed is just thandai -- his favourite, anyway. So please don't get any ideas. --Harish Wadhwa

True Colours

Animated discussions on Holi-eve

Holi is tomorrow but we showed our true colours today itself. Ramila Mistry took charge in the middle and was back to her former fiery self. But all the verbal whiplashes and shrieks to “Shut Up!” and “Get Out!” had no effect on anyone. As Santosh Tyagi declared defiantly, “Kal Holi hai, we will talk today.”
Santosh had her loyal supporters in Sunita Jajodia and Geeta Sardhana. Soon, another conclave developed around Razia Khan, Nafisa Sayyad and Khatoon Baig. Srichand Arora walked up mid-exercise, hoping to separate the unruly ladies, but to no avail. They had obtained their license to talk from Santosh and were back to chattering away merrily.
Within minutes Arora himself was pulled up for playing happy bandmaster between Jagmohan Papneja on one side and Hari Singh Shekhawat on the other. Like a kindergarten kid, Arora promptly deflected the blame at the two: “What can I do? They were talking to me!” Ramila rolled her eyes and spared him this time.

Santosh Tyagi: Licence to talk

But Papneja had a genuine problem. He’s going on the Himachal Tour tomorrow and wanted urgent clarification on the transport arrangements to the railway station. When told that pre-paid cabs had been hired to take everyone in groups of four, he wanted to know why he must be picked up at 6:30 pm when the train is to leave Mumbai Central at 9:30 pm. “How can I have dinner so early?” he pleaded in all seriousness.
Shekhawat though was on an altogether different trip. He has finally found a solution to his bathroom problem -- the cause for his late-coming every morning. He has invested Rs4.5 crore in a plush 2,000sq ft apartment close to Kamat Club, Lokhandwala. “The flat has four huge toilets,” Shekhawat assured us, thrilled to bits.
Meanwhile, preparations for tomorrow’s Holi celebration are in full swing. Arora is organizing the dry colour and refreshments, Razia Khan has offered steel containers for the thandai, somebody is getting ice, somebody would procure the green additive… In short, work has been nicely delegated. And we can all be sure that the Himachal yatris would be given a warm, heady and colorful sendoff! Watch this space.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Holi is a day of friendship. Keeping this in view, a small friendly group is proceeding tomorrow to the Himalayan province (Himachal), known for its beautiful landscape. Before that, we will look up Vaishno Devi to offer obeisance. May the goddess bless us with health and happiness.

Alarm Bells

Documentation for the Himachal Tour

Shekhawat’s late-coming today set off alarm bells early morning. Word somehow got around that he was down with high fever and that he would be unable to take the Himachal Tour day-after tomorrow. So convincing was the rumour that nobody had the heart to even call up, should he be resting at home. And yet, all eyes were at the Gate right through the exercises. Finally, just before the second laughter round, he showed up and cheerfully informed that he woke up late and had to wait his turn in the queue to the bathroom. Hence the delay.
However, news about two other members is not at all good. Nazma Sayyad has met with another mishap, this time causing grievous hurt to an arm. The last time it was her leg and after months of medication and physiotherapy could she summon the confidence to resume her exercises in the Garden. She was with us for a couple of weeks and is now bed-ridden again.

Nazma Sayyad

Bapu Rane

Bapu Rane is in a far more serious condition. Down with a severe intestinal complication (see earlier posts), he had been showing signs of recovery after switching from allopathy to ayurveda. He has since been on liquid diet which made him considerably frail and weak, but was still able to make it to the Garden for a session of yoga. By way of self-assurance, he kept saying that ayurveda takes time to act and that he was already feeling better.
Last week-end though, Rane looked terribly distressed and pale. He disclosed that even the ayurvedic medicines were no longer working and he was back to square one. There was a look of resignation in his eyes. “I am now at the mercy of God,” he muttered, trying to force a smile. Just what can we do to help – anybody?
Jagmohan Papneja:
Bapu Rane, no matter how complicated your health condition is, do NOT lose hope. Hope helps us to strive for betterment and to overcome odds.

Day 955

Pic of the Week

My goodness! When will these people grow up?!?

Jagmohan Papneja:
"Ohh... tumse achcha kaun hai/ Dil o jigar lo jaan lo/ Hum tumhare hein sanam/ Tum hamein pehchan lo!"
P.S.: The lady above is trustworthy and commands the respect of those around her.
Bhaswati Bose:
Koi lautaa de humarey, beetey huey din...
Harish Wadhwa:
Pehchaan Kaun? Shukla-ji seems to be going all gaga at this childhood game. Nice pic of the two fun-loving people in the Garden.
Srichand Arora:
* "Kaun hai joh sapno mein aaya?"
* "Kanhi yeh woh toh nahin?"

As time changes…

Pratap Bhatt: Toffees from Australia

Nafisa Sayyad today challenged Shekhawat to stand with his mouth shut for a counted five minutes. And since Ramila Mistry was already on maun vrat (vow of silence), Santosh Tyagi kept provoking, even threatening to smack her, just so that she opens her mouth. And Nahid Khan complained why, every time she saw Arora, she thought of luddoos. And Ved Prakash Grover wanted to know if a mini bus could ferry everyone on the Himachal Tour to the railway station on March 27. And Arora was keen on getting their signatures on an undertaking that they were traveling at their own risk and responsibility. And Jagmohan Papneja wanted a change of berth in the train. And Pratap Bhatt, who showed up after three-and-half months, was full of stories from a holiday Down Under…

Signing the undertaking

In all the chaos and confusion, the exercises were conducted in amazing order and no interruption. Funny thing nobody even realized the many distractions – let alone raise an objection – so accustomed have we become to the incessant banter in the background.
At one time, certain individuals were identified as chatterboxes and the energies of the entire group would be focused on getting them to keep quiet while exercising. Today, nobody cares. The so-called silent sentinels like Khatoon Baig and Tara Chand Seth are constantly popping up with witty one-liners. Grover too would never let go an opportunity at making a wisecrack. Ditto for Ram Shankar Shukla. Even Monthi Serrao and Santosh Tyagi, who were known to be reserved and restrained, are nowadays constantly on the ball. In comparison, all those like Geeta Sardhana, Nahid Khan and Sunita Jajodia who were once branded ‘baatuni babes’ (to quote Yusuf Rassiwala) would appear as dumb dodos now.
Indeed, as times change, people change and how!
Jagmohan Papneja:
Without interrupting the exercise, one must express one's opinion. This will enable people of diverse backgrounds to establish close connections among themselves, which would add meaning to life. This should be promoted in a positive way.

Frozen at 21

Hari Singh Shekhawat

How time flies! For, it seems just the other day – soon after the Kashmir trip in September 2012 – that Hari Singh Shekhawat put forth the proposal for a Himachal Tour. Today, we are exactly five days away from boarding the Golden Temple Mail to Amritsar for the first leg of the tour (see post of March 11) beginning March 27. Effectively, the countdown has begun.
In these six months, much has happened – from revising and re-revising the itinerary, finalizing railway and hotel bookings, hiring helicopters to Vaishno Devi and so on. From an initial count of 14, the numbers in the group dropped to 11, then leaped to 19 and then two dropped out, followed by three joining in… till we are now left with a final figure of 21.
Today Shekhawat declared that he will henceforth not entertain any further cancellation or fresh bookings. “The number stands frozen at 21 as far as I am concerned,” he announced, clearly fed up of having to accommodate requests for changes every now and then.

Formal induction of Teja Singh

For, every last-minute request has involved countless phone calls, cash changing hands and reworking the financials for the tour. It has been a monumental task. And still, there are many who continue to dilly-dally over whether to stay back in Delhi or return with the rest of the group on April 5. “I doubt if Shekhawat has had a single night sleep in the last one month,” empathised Srichand Arora, whose involvement in tying up the logistics has been no less critical and demanding.
Meanwhile, we had a new addition to our Club membership with Teja Singh today paying Rs300 towards his admission fees. He is based in Faridabad but joins us for the exercises without fail every time he visits Mumbai. A peaceful soul, he has been an inalienable part of the Big Laaf family from the day he first stepped in our midst two years back. His induction, approved by voice vote, was a mere formality, long overdue.
Harish Wadhwa
Teja Singh-ji is a wonderful and kind-hearted soul. I think people above 75 should be given Honorary membership. By the way, his name is Teja Singh Bhambra. Welcome to the group and may be to the Badmaash Company some day!

Now a ‘Cap Party’!

Arora keeps his promise

Anything for a party – to the point of extortion, if possible. All the more so, when there’s a drought of birthday celebrations this month.
And thus it came to pass that Srichand Arora had to honour his commitment (yesterday’s post) by treating us to a boxful of luddoos this morning – all because we had done him the favour of wearing caps for the exercises!
However, it must be said that as a Club, we have reached the stage when nobody really needs such incentives any longer to wear the cap. More than habit, this has become second nature to most of us. Some like Tara Chand Seth and Geeta Sardhana, who were initially reluctant, are nowadays wearing their caps as a matter of routine.

Coronation Ceremony

Others may not come in wearing their caps (because of the pre-summer heat), but during the exercises, they have it on. Today, Arun Patil had left his cap behind in his car by mistake. He walked back, got the cap on and only thereafter, started exercising.
These simple acts, however insignificant, carry a larger message across the board and this has worked to a major extent. Still, there are those like Santosh Tyagi and Sunita Jadeja who like to push their chances and leave their caps in the middle of the circle, only to scramble for them the moment Arora is sighted at the Gate. It happened this morning also and then Sunita was the one to remind Arora that we have “sau taka” cap compliance today also. In other words, another party is due.
The significance of the blue cap was not lost to Vijay Gupta, a non-member who drops by occasionally for the exercises. So, at his request, Shekhawat (in his capacity as Club president) ‘crowned’ him ceremoniously soon after the exercises. Gupta had of course, paid for the cap.
Srichand Arora:
A few days back, Mr Abhay Dhelia of Oshiwara had posted his request to join us for HOLI celebration (see comments of March 16). With the permission of our Managing Committee, we may invite Mr Dhelia join us on March 27 morning at 7 a.m. for the laughter session/ exercises followed by the Holi celebration. So Mr Dhelia, be ready to play a colorful Holi with us.
Jagmohan Papneja:
It was great fun coming together for the luddoos Arora-ji served after the laughter session. He is a gracious person who kept his promise and has set an example. Thanks for the lovely treat!

‘Promise is Promise’

100 per cent cap compliance

Ramila Mistry got even with Srichand Arora. Yesterday she had reported for the exercises without her cap on and was driven to a state of nervous breakdown, lest he’d turn up and take her to task. Luckily for her, he was absent. But she did not forgive him for the anxiety and trauma she had suffered and this morning, extracted a promise from him for a treat. Her claim was bolstered by Sunita Jajodia who reminded Arora of his one-time promise to throw a party the day everyone showed up with caps on.

Ramila Mistry

Today was that day.
Poor Arora had no escape. Indeed, as Sunita pointed out, we had ‘sau taka (100 per cent) topi’ compliance this morning. Still, he tried to wriggle out, pleading lamely that he was one of us and a friend, little expecting a rebuff from Ved Prakash Grover: “ But promise is promise!” Exasperated, Arora hit back, “Meet me outside the Gate, alone... after the exercises.”
But Ramila wasn’t giving up. She told Arora upfront how his insistence on compulsorily wearing the Club cap had caused her immense distress yesterday, leaving her with no option but to summon every Bhagwan, Prabhu, Bapu and Ram-Ram-Ram she knew of. “Ultimately they listened to my prayers and you did not come to the Garden,” she narrated amid uproarious laughter. “Now you better keep your promise!”
Arora tried a new tack this time. From a phapda-jalebi party, he came down to a box of barfi and then luddoos – from one kilo to half kilo to 100 grams… all the while explaining he must learn to be thrifty from a Gujarati.

As good as it can get: Chai-pakode for breakfast

Suddenly noticing that Ramila might be offended, he apologized with folded hands for taking such liberties with her. When Ramila did not respond, Santosh Tyagi butted in: “How does it matter if she is offended? She can very well go to the other Garden!” Another round of laughter.
Badmaash Company had more than a foretaste of the party in store when Arora produced a casserole of home-made kairi-ke-pakode (fries of fresh, raw mangoes) during the tea session. It was godsend – hot, crispy and tangy… a rarity and tasting all the more divine early morning with cutting chai. Trust Arora for the good things of life and his generosity in sharing them.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Be impeccable with your word. Don't divert. Always fulfil your promise, Arora-ji!
Harish Wadhwa:
The pakode were indeed very tasty. Man chaha ke bananey waley ke haath choom loon. When we realised that they were made by Kiran-ji, we were quick to offload the responsibility to Arora-ji to do the honours 'generously'. In our heart-of-hearts, we thanked our stars for the pakode.

Cheers!

Santosh Tyagi has competition.
The unchallenged grande dame of kanji was in fact, taken by surprise when Tara Chand Seth produced a new concoction of the gulabo drink prepared from kali gaajar – a peculiar, purplish variety of extra-sweet carrots available only in northern India.

Tara Chand Seth

On his last visit to Delhi, he had picked up these carrots and sounded off some of his friends about the special treat today.
Word had already spread like wildfire as people, who normally do not show their faces, were present in full-strength this morning. Sitaram Hivarkar arrived rather late but made a beeline towards us instead of going to his yoga group. Jagmohan Papneja was about to leave but changed his mind, jumped over the hedge and was back to exercising. Harish Wadhwa, a chronic late-comer, could be seen galloping full clip from the Gate, lest he missed out on his share of kanji.
And what share! Even before Monthi Serrao could arrange the glasses and pour the drink, Harish breathlessly grabbed a full jar and glug-glug-glug-glug… that was it. The rest of the 20-odd members had to make do with the other jar (there were two jars only) and in the mad scramble for glasses, no one knew who got left out, who had whose half-drunk glass, who managed a refill… It was a perfect spectacle of 'might is right' with only the fittest getting to taste Tara Chand's kanji. As host, he got completely sidelined and nobody noticed, let alone thank him. But in the end, Ram Shankar Shukla did speak on behalf of all present. “The kanji was not good, it was very, very good,” he proclaimed, smacking his lips in appreciation.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Can one make good one's past losses? Why not? Look at how Harish-ji is quenching his thirst with home-made kanji! This is a fermented drink made of carrots, beetroot and mustard seeds. After having so much of it, Harish-ji must be feeling healthy and happy with the world. No regrets this time -- thanks to Tara Chand Seth for making all arrangements all the way from Delhi for this unusual yummy treat.
Bhaswati Bose:
Harish-bhai, all that kanji... are you okay? Perhaps you may require a Roko?
Harish Wadhwa:
* Yes, I enjoyed the kanji thoroughly, Papneja-ji and Bhaswati-ji. Par yeh dil maange more... gulabo! Call me if you have some fermented at home.
* Thank you, Tara Chand-ji and your family for making the tangy kanji with kali gaajar all the way from The Dilli!

Style Statement

Rear Exposure (foreground)

Unprovoked Debate

Fashionistas might quibble over ‘dressing up’ or ‘dressing down’; but for real inspiration, they ought to visit us in the Garden. From the prim-and-proper Jagmohan Papneja and Geeta Sardhana to the casual chic of Nahid Khan and Monthi Serrao, we have a whole range of fits and drapes, colour matches and cuts and falls to suit every shape and size.
But then, it is always originality that matters – just as the style statement Shekhawat made this morning. He came in (fashionably late) with the back of his kurta neatly tucked in and the front flapping over his khaki shorts like an apron. The sight instantly triggered a round of titters – someone even sounding him to set right his “frock” since his rear was exposed. Even after he got the message, Shekhawat was in no hurry to cover his back. He was after all, wearing his attitude.
At the other extreme was Tara Chand Seth caught out-of-character with a cap for the first time in his life. He announced his arrival in the Garden by waving the cap at Arora and then went around informing everyone that nobody could ever get him to wear a cap before. “But there is a limit to one’s shamelessness… after being ticked off every morning for the cap,” he reasoned jokingly.
Soon after the exercises, an unprovoked debate broke out over reviving the proposal of a monthly contribution of Rs50 per head. Since this has been cleared by the General Body (see post of February 2), members like Razia Khan, Arun Patil and Monthi Serrao argued that collections should start once again. Ramila Mistry even fished out a hundred-rupee note, offering to put in her share right away. In the ensuing discussions, many festering wounds opened up. Most male members however, maintained a studied silence -- choosing rather to wait and watch.
Jagmohan Papneja:
If my clothing does stand out, it is a compliment. I wear whatever feels comfortable.

Day 948

Pic of the Week

SUPERMAN RETURNS... hopefully!

Jagmohan Papneja:
This Superman is sometimes seen in Lokhandwala Garden No 4. He doesn't need a railway or Pawan Hans (helicopter) booking to reach anywhere!
Srichand Arora:
A real superman -- the way he has maintained himself! GOD bless Hari-bhai.

Holi Planning

Hair splitting over Holi

In being preoccupied with the Himachal Tour beginning on March 27, what had escaped the attention of many was that Holi happens to fall on the same day. The ‘festival of colors’ is an important event in the Club calendar and has been celebrated with unusual gaiety and abandon (see posts) in the Garden. But somehow, this year we were giving it a miss – till Srichand Arora reminded us that those going on the tour would be boarding the train only late evening and that we had the entire morning to celebrate Holi.
Initiating discussions on the celebration this morning, Shekhawat and Arora invited members to voice their opinion and suggestions at making the event bigger and better than earlier years. It was estimated that no less than 50 people would take part and provision would accordingly have to be made for thandai and other refreshments – not to mention gulaal and rose petals. Somebody mentioned getting a drummer (dholaki) also, which possibly Bapu Rane could organize. The idea of having a singing session with a harmonium, however, did not find favour.
On the question of splitting the costs, some like Razia Khan suggested making personal contributions. But the predominant view was that this being a Club event, the expenses ought to be defrayed from the Club’s common fund. Shekhawat justified this further by arguing that it would be a good way to keep the Club’s account active in the bank!
Harish Wadhwa:
Well, I don't know who is arranging what, but for sure, the special green additive will be arranged by Arora-ji. Bum-bum Bhole!
Srichand Arora:
And this additive is being arranged only for you, Harish-ji. All the best!
Abhay Dhelia:
I am a resident of Oshiwara, MHADA. Every year there is a Holi programme in Lokhandwala Garden. I wanted to take part this year. From were can I buy passes?

Ides of March

Tara Chand wants to see Grover's teeth

Who says ‘beware’ of the Ides of March? Well, that was said in Shakespeare’s time – another age, another place. Today, in Lokhandwala Garden No 4, we needed no such warning. There was no Brutus around and it was a beautiful morning with lots of laughter and sunshine. Yusuf Rassiwala was at his jovial best, Santosh Tyagi did her jokes’ narration, Shekhawat was irrepressible as always and with Razia Khan, Srichand Arora and Nahid Khan bringing up the rear, everyone was on a roll.
The irony of such happy situations is that misfortune often gets converted to a joke. Take Nafisa Sayyad. She was merrily watching some kids play football outside her building complex when suddenly, like a bolt from the blue, the ball came hurtling towards her.

Nafisa Sayyad: retired hurt

It missed her by a whisker, but struck the chair she was sitting on. Such was its impact that a leg of the chair snapped instantly and the next moment Nafisa was on the ground, her knees badly bruised and bleeding. She had to be rushed to a doctor and is now advised complete bed-rest for two days. This, according to Razia, explained Nafisa’s absence in the Garden today.
Then there was Ved Prakash Grover, another instance of tragedy turning into comedy. A botched up dental job has left him with enamel erosion in his front set of teeth. It is a ghastly sight. So Grover came to the Garden today without his cap. Sure enough, Arora picked on him and Grover retorted that he was very, very angry. Concerned, Arora left exercising and ran up to Grover to inquire, in hushed tones, if he had plans to bash him up. That did it. Breaking into laughter, Grover narrated how some dentist had ruined his happiness and now, with just 12 days left for the Himachal Tour, there is no time to get a repair work done. Much as others also sympathized with him, this singular encounter lightened Grover’s mood for the morning.
Surely, as they say, there can be humour even in adversity.
Anonymous:
I hope the ball that hit the chair was not damaged in any way. (LOL)
Harish Wadhwa:
"Mein tumhe kya salaah doon Grover, mere toh apne daanton ka haal bhi kucchh..."
Srichand Arora:
Nafisa-ji, issi liye Laughter Club aapko bina kursi ke baithne ki salaah deta hai. 'Kissa Kursi Ka' yaad rakhiye!

Lost and Found!

Srichand Arora

Yesterday’s Look Out Notice has worked!
Yusuf Rassiwala today emerged from the early morning haze, sporting a parrot green T-shirt and goofy grin and casually took his position in the circle. He was welcomed with warm hugs and soon after the exercises, an extra laugh was raised for his momentous comeback.
But Srichand Arora was a disappointed man. Yesterday, upon seeing the blog post, he rushed to Oshiwara Police Station in the hope of tracing Yusuf-bhai and accordingly, claim the reward money. There, to his infinite horror and dismay, he spotted Yusuf’s mugshot pasted in the midst of other Wanted photos on the police notice board. The Duty Officer dutifully informed him that the 'suspect' bearing resemblance with the wanted man was presently lodged in Parel Police Station.
Arora promptly sounded off Hari Singh Shekhawat, who in turn promised to mobilize the Club’s "ladeej log" and land at Parel Police Station in a couple of hours. Arora got busy organizing the bail for Yusuf-bhai – besides a parcel of mutton biryani. "Who knows, the poor fellow might be kept hungry in the police lock-up," he was to explain later.
The only thing Arora had got wrong was the location of the police station. With biryani in hand, he ran around the whole of Parel (West), little knowing that Parel has only one police station – in the east.
Shekhawat meanwhile had landed there with a group of lady members armed with rolling pins, kitchen utensils and huge brooms. The cop on duty said that Yusuf was caught riding a camel through the busy bylanes of Parel as though he was Asrani perched on an elephant in Malamaal Weekly. He refused to get down, which precipitated matters and both he and the camel had to be arrested.
After repeated requests, when the cops refused to release Yusuf-bhai, the ladies got into their act. Banging their utensils and screaming and shouting, they threatened to pull down the police station… till suddenly, rising above the din, Nahid-bhai appeared in full military gear, AK-47 in hand. Petrified, the cops promptly gave her the keys of the lock-up and Yusuf-bhai walked out a free man.
It would have been a happy ending, were it not for Fehmida Khan getting hold of Yusuf-bhai this morning and landing a solid sock on his face (pics alongside) for getting the Club members in a tizzy yesterday. “Don't you dare ride a camel ever again in Bombay,” she warned.
Disclaimer: The backstory of this post is just that – a story, written in jest and must be enjoyed in the same spirit. (Not a word of it is true.) Yusuf-bhai is absolutely hale and hearty and yesterday, after reading the blog, had responded late night with a text message: “Missing Yusuf-bhai ka pata chal gaya hai. Kal subah Garden mein hazir honge.” He kept his word.
Harish Wadhwa:
* Happy to see Yusuf-bhai in a jovial mood. He needed to be pulled up for not making it regularly to the Garden! God bless him with good health and an everlasting usual cheerful smile.
* Ek to Yusuf-bhai ki filmon ke shots ki tarah, pitai ho rahi hai aur Arora-ji mand-mand, dabe hoton mein muskura rahe hain?!!
Srichand Arora:
Bach ke rahana re BABA, bach ke rahana re!

Look-Out Notice

On the run?

Have you seen this man?
He is in his sixties, tall and handsome, around 6 ft in height, of wheatish complexion, balding, with close-cropped beard and answers to the name of Topiwaley Pandurang Baba. He is also known as Yusuf Rassiwala. He has been missing from the Garden since last month and despite all efforts to trace him, remains elusive. Anyone providing any clue about him shall be rewarded suitably.
The decision to issue this look-out notice was taken this morning after Shekhawat, for some pressing reason, started inquiring about Yusuf-bhai. Razia Khan offered to invade the latter’s residence today itself and stay over for lunch and dinner, but subsequently thought better of it.

Razia Khan (left) and Nafisa Sayyad (right)

That was when Nafisa Sayyad suggested printing a ‘Wanted’ poster with Yusuf-bhai's photograph and even dictated the accompanying text in Marathi. Renu Babani felt English should suffice and posting a notice on this blog (with added allurement of a cash reward) would yield the desired results.
Last heard Yusuf-bhai had approached Shekhawat, inquiring about the possibility of joining the Himachal Tour scheduled later this month. He had consulted Srichand Arora also but apparently the tickets for the group had already been booked by then. Moreover, the uncertainty of weather conditions in the north had made him change his mind.
According to some other sources, Yusuf-bhai was planning an overseas trip with family and had been checking on travel agencies as well for a conducted tour. It seems he had got it all lined up when, at the eleventh hour, he discovered that his passport was on the verge of expiry. He applied for a renewal, but nobody knows for certain if it had come through. In case it did, this gentleman could well be gallivanting on the streets of London or frolicking on the slopes of the Swiss Alps even as you read this.
Jagmohan Papneja:
At last BIG LAAF has initiated a 'look-out notice' against the gentleman who was last seen in a desert with his pet camel. A case of absenteeism has already been registered. I suggest he should be allowed to go scot free this time!
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* This gentleman looks familiar... but feels like a stranger all of a sudden.
* Walking together as usual, smiling.
Bhaswati Bose:
Indeed he is lost in the desert with that stupid camel. I think he's trying to find his way back.
Harish Wadhwa:
Mrs Bose, the camel or Yusuf-bhai (LOL)? No matter where he is, we hope our dear Yusuf- bhai is keeping good health and enjoying life.

Hot in the Head

Capless after the exercises

As summer sets in and the mercury climbs to 39 degrees and beyond, it becomes increasingly difficult to wear the blue Club cap during the exercises. Still, we do so by force of habit and out of a sense of belonging and pride. A few like Nafisa Sayyad and Santosh Tyagi (today) would find the heat unbearable at times and might leave their caps on the ground for a while – only to put them back on their heads, lest they be pulled up. But once we are done with the exercises, all the caps come off at once. By then, most of us would be sweating profusely down the neck.
Over the past eight months (since the caps were introduced) or so, many members reported having misplaced, losing or gifting away their caps. They had all been provided with replacements free-of-charge – till such time stocks lasted. Now, a fresh stock of caps has arrived, thanks to Harish Wadhwa and Srichand Arora. All those interested, may please contact the latter and collect a new cap against payment of Rs60 (being its cost price) only. For non-members, the price has been pegged at a nominal Rs100 per cap. If anything, this should keep everyone adequately hot in the head through the summer months.
Harish Wadhwa:
Keep your heads cooooool. Try the new caps if you wish.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
A stroll in the Garden with the group...

Programme Rejigged

DOUBLE TREAT from Shekhawat (above) and Ramila (below)

There’s barely a fortnight left for the Himachal Tour to take off. And the programme has had to be rejigged a little to tie up all loose ends and to ensure that the 20-member group is able to derive the maximum advantage in minimum time from the trip, before fatigue sets in.
Effectively, the itinerary has been cut short by a day and instead of boarding the Rajdhani Express at Delhi on April 5, the group will leave a day earlier by the Maharashtra Sampark Kranti (MSK) Express. The final tour programme is as follows:
27/3: dep Mumbai by GOLDEN TEMPLE MAIL at 9:30 pm
29/3: arr AMRITSAR
30/3: arr KATRA
31/3: VAISHNO DEVI darshan
01/4: arr CHANDIGARH
02/4: arr SHIMLA
03/4: dep SHIMLA
04/4: arr DELHI
05/4: arr Mumbai (Borivali) by MSK EXPRESS at 3:30 pm (estimated).
Those wishing to extend their halt in Delhi by a day (and perhaps make a whistlestop tour of Agra and the Taj Mahal) have the option of returning to Mumbai by the Rajdhani Express on April 5 – as booked initially. The others on the MSK Express would be back home by then. While this became an issue for animated discussion among some members, Shekhawat distributed chocolates brought by his daughter-in-law from an overseas trip. Ramila Mistry made it a double treat with revadis – actually prasad from Mahashivaratri yesterday.
Jagmohan Papneja:
* There are as many as chhappan or 56 types of bhog /prasad offered to God. Ramila-ji offered rewari to Lord Shiva yesterday and that was distributed to us today as blessing.
* Thank you Shekhawat-ji for sharing the Hongkong chocolates. Tussi badey great ho!
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
Sweets constantly distributed, no matter what the reason.