Bull by Horn

Srichand Arora meets his match, in Nafisa Sayyad

If there’s anyone in the Club who can take on Srichand Arora fair and square, it has to be Nafisa Sayyad. All others are content with taking pot shots behind his back – even calling him “Hitler-ji” (a new name coined by Pratap Bhatt) – but in front of him, they would all squirm, tongue-tied. Not Nafisa. She knows how to take a bull by the horn!
It all started with Arora throwing his weight about, picking on those who were inattentive, not laughing loud enough, not wearing their caps… till Razia Khan tried to divert his mind by mentioning we haven’t had phapda-jalebi in a long time. “It is time you treated us to phapda-jalebi,” she told Arora. “Today is a good day, Ram Navami.”
Arora pretended not to hear. Razia repeated her request but to no avail. Then Sunita Jajodia joined in, saying that he should have “treated us to phapda-jalebi on Gudi Pawda (last week)”. “It is Gudi Padwa, not Pawda,” Arora corrected her, but on the rest of her sentence he had turned a deaf ear. Completely exasperated, Nafisa yelled at the top of her voice: “We want phapda-jalebi. Do you hear me, Arora-ji?” Arora still looked blank.

BIRTHDAY GIRL: Renu Babani

That was when she got into her number. In sign language, she demonstrated how phapdas are made. Then she rolled a hand round and round to suggest a jalebi and followed it by mimicking the act of eating and what it is to strut around with a full stomach. “Ab samjha?” she asked Arora.
The impromptu performance threw everyone in splits and Arora instantly agreed to a treat tomorrow. Before long he was to change his mind, suggesting that we should rather wait till Shekhawat was discharged from hospital. It would be Shekhawat’s birthday next week-end (April 27) and that would be a good occasion to celebrate, he said.
In all this we did not realize that it was Renu Babani’s birthday today and there could have been phapda-jalebis today itself were she to be present in the Garden. Both she and her husband are in Canada at present, celebrating with their son Prakash. Well, this is wishing her a whale of a time, a long life and of course, many happy returns of the day.
Health Bulletin of Hari Singh Shekhawat - 5:
Today, I went to Kokilaben Hospital around 4:15 pm to ascertain the outcome of yesterday's angiography. I learnt that his son, Raghuvir had collected the report and taken it to Hinduja Hospital for obtaining a second opinion from a specialist. I came to know also that he will be discharged tomorrow but will have to undergo further treatment either at Hinduja or Asian Heart Hospital. Let us hope and pray that he comes out of this at the earliest. --Jagmohan Papneja
Srichand Arora:
Renu-ji -- Kiran and I wish you a very Happy Birthday and many, many happy returns of the day!
Bhaswati Bose:
* Happy Birthday, Renu! Am sure you are having a great time today with family and friends. Enjoy.
* Wish I was present to see Nafisa's acting. When she's in the mood, she can be hilarious!
Renu Babani:
Thanks for the birthday wishes. My birthday has just begun here. Having a family affair at home tonight -- a priceless gift, no doubt. The weather is great here. Shall send photos soon as right now still recovering from jet lag.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Best wishes for the happiest day filled with love and laughter. Happy Birthday, Renu-ji!
Harish Wadhwa:
Very Happy (belated) Birthday, Renu-ji. Hope you are having a great time.