'War' News

News hounds, everyone

In the old days, when men went to war, women back home would gather at the village square in the mornings to seek emotional succour and support, voice their concerns and exchange info trickling in from the battle front. This ancient ritual is currently being re-enacted in the Garden every morning, ever since Rehana Sheikh, in a state of heightened excitement, broke the news of a Mrs Naidu on the Himachal Tour being struck by a bout of food poisoning at Katra.
With the group now in Shimla and channels of information opening up, every morning presents fresh news updates and a disaster story -- as though it is not a pleasure trip but a war which Shekhawat and his group have gone to fight. Not just the ladies of the Club, even those on the walking track have become eager news hounds.

Tara Chand Seth

They all need to know of the calamities (if any), the latest casualty figure (from food poisoning), who are the survivors (from dysentery and diarrhea), what is everybody doing about crucial potty problems, if it is still raining out there, whether the next trip to Kerala is on… As Tara Chand Seth put it succintly: “Jaaney walon se zyada, ghar-walon ko badi fikr rehti hai!”
But then, who wouldn’t be worried? Given a killing travel schedule, hostile weather conditions, the treacherous terrain and above all, deadly food on offer, this whistle-stop tour is no less than an everyday battle at keeping body and soul together – especially for the senior citizens. And then, it is also a fact that adversity always adds to the sense of adventure and excitement that goes into making a trip memorable.
“Food poisoning can happen anytime anywhere, even at home in Mumbai,” commented Tara Chand, the only voice of reason left behind. “So why make a big hoo-haa about it? Yes, one must be careful in future... The Himachal trip has taught us this lesson. So theek hai, take it all in your stride -- as a learning experience.”