Chitter-Chatter

"Who will lead the delegation to Shekhawat's place?"

Bhaswati Bose had an announcement to make. Mrs Shekhawat had phoned her yesterday to say she was prepared to receive the contingent from the Garden (see post of June 4) this weekend, but preferably on Friday or Saturday evening. “Shekhwat-ji bahut utawley ho rahein hain sabhi se milne,” she said of her husband. She wanted a confirmation and the number of people who would be visiting.
As is our wont, the group got instantly divided with members like Sitaram Hivarkar wanting to visit on Saturday while others like Ramila Mistry insisted on Friday only. For Jagmohan Papneja, both days suited him fine. Razia Khan and Nafisa Sayyad’s pleas for making it "not before Monday" went unheard.

The picture that clean-bowled Bhatt

Some said that instead of everybody crowding Shekhawat’s place at one time, we should be split along gender lines – the ‘ladies log’ would go on Friday and the ‘gents’ on Saturday.
In between, Ramila made a futile attempt to force a compromise by suggesting that instead of the mountain going to Mohammad, why not Shekhawat come to the Garden (“sitting home all day isn't doing him any good”) and if needed, she would summon him on phone. Finally, it was decided by majority opinion that on Saturday evening, we would all troop into Shekhawat’s house at 4:30 sharp.

Happy Birthday SUNITA

Meanwhile, Pratap Bhatt was spotted prowling around the public toilet, having returned from his pilgrimage to Mount Abu and Mansarovar. Nafisa alerted us, “Bhatt bhatak raha hai!” But the fun was to begin later when he was congratulated for his magnificent show as a cricketer (post of May 26). Bhatt had not seen the picture and when Arun Patil showed it to him on his mobile, he was stumped. “Yeh kaise hua!” he exclaimed, not believing his eyes. “Na maine life mein bait pakda, na pant pehna, na kabhi ball se khela…” Short of blaming Arun of doing some gadbad with his photo on the mobile, he threatened to consult his daughter in Australia and resolve the mystery.
In all this chatter-batter, we almost forgot to wish Sunita Jajodia on her birthday. We raised the customary extra laugh after the exercises and wished her the very best – a long life, good health and lasting happiness.
Bhatt's daughter (and grandchildren):
When he visited us in Melbourne he said he was too old to play cricket. But now it seems the Indian cricket team has finally found a replacement for Sachin. Amazing picture! Very well done, Arun Patil and the entire Big Laaf group. You have got international followers too. Best wishes for future success to the Big Laaf group.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Birthday season. No matter how one celebrates, it appears that birthday rituals are being overlooked. But we have a special thing that won't go missing: the extra laugh. Happy Birthday, Sunita-ji!
Harish Wadhwa:
* Happy Birthday, Sunita-ji. Everyone did give a fourth celebration laugh for your birthday. Some suggested that it be given only if the birthday man/woman is present; else it should be done on the day of his/her presence to serve as a humble reminder for the sweets.
* Bhatt-sa'ab ka jawab nahin. He is really looking great as a cricketer.