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.