Point of Order

Hot line to Mrs Singh

Monthi Serrao today raised a point of order soon after the exercises. She informed that Mrs Harbans Singh was down with a severe knee condition and could not even walk to the Garden. “How many of you have have cared to inquire about her health?” demanded Monthi. “Every time someone falls ill, she has been the first to call and check. But nobody here has phoned her, now that she is in distress. This is not correct.”
Caught on the wrong foot, many of us tried to explain that we weren’t aware that Mrs Singh was back in town. The last we heard was that she had gone to Punjab for medical treatment in early March. In fact, her prize for Pehchaan Kaun-8 (see post of March 8) was collected on her behalf by Monthi Serrao. Since then, we were under the impression that Mrs Singh was still in Punjab. Srichand Arora instantly made an effort to salvage the situation and called Mrs Singh on his mobile phone from the Garden.

Qadir Bano marks her return from Jaipur

On behalf of the Club, he offered his apologies and explained that we had no clue about her health condition – even of the fact that she had returned from Punjab.
It turned out that Mrs Singh is fortunately "better" now, having gone through a harrowing time because of the knee problem. She had undergone a surgery as well in the interim. Razia Khan also spoke to her in front of us, conveying our concern and wishes for a speedy recovery.
The other ‘returnee’ was Qadir Bano, who had gone to Jaipur about two-and-half months ago (mid February) for some “personal documentation work”. She is one of the newer members of the Club and was back at the Garden with a box of yellow pedhas typical of Rajasthan. As usual, we raised an extra laugh for Qadir and thanked her for remembering us.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Absence of communication often results in misunderstanding and mental disturbance. Members must be told to keep us posted whenever they are absent for a long period.
Srichand Arora:
Mrs Singh, on behalf of the BIG LAAF club, I sincerely apologize for not contacting you during the past month-and-half. We were under the impression that you were still in Punjab. We all pray for your early recovery.
Harish Wadhwa:
* Get well very soon, Mrs Harbans Singh. After all, you have to be fine and mobile to make some nice kada-halwa-prasad for all the greedy at the Garden, including me. Jokes apart, may Rab give you good health.
* Earlier it was phapda-jalebi. Now there are pedas. All good things have to happen only when I am not around! Lagta hai Badmaash Company-chai par hi santosh karna padega! Welcome back Qadir Bano-ji.