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.