Laughter all the way

Happy Birthday Nahid-bhai

Rumours broke out early morning that Srichand Arora had “joined the other garden”. Many took it seriously because he was not to be seen yesterday also. So when Tara Chand claimed he had seen Arora in Garden No 2, everyone believed him and tongues started wagging… till suddenly, half-way through the exercises, Arora showed up with a knowing smile. The sling was off his shoulders (see post of June 18) and he made light of his condition, declaring that he had outgrown the damn thing. “They don’t make slings my size,” he said. But he was in fine fettle and had gone to the 'other garden' for a stroll.
Arora’s presence was to set off a volley of jokes and jibes with Nafisa Sayyad today bent upon copying every awkward movement he performed with his ‘defective’ arm. She started in slow motion and when he snapped at her (‘You are my pucca dushman’), she retaliated by talking in mute and sign language, knowing well that Arora was a bit hard of hearing.

Monthi Serrao

It was a hilarious sight. As he kept straining his ears and caught all the wrong words, she was on a roll.
But the biggest laughs were reserved for the last. Those who read the blog yesterday (see post) inquired about Qadeer Bano. She had not come today. Soon word got around about the ‘kick-and-cure’ remedy she was seeking from someone born ulta. While many found it bizarre and laughed their heads off, Santosh Tyagi and Tara Chand shook their heads sagely, insisting that such unconventional cures do work. Orthopedic cases are resolved by the kick of people born upside-down.
Instantly Arun Patil suggested that such gifted people should charge Rs500 per kick and by the way, his sister-in-law was born ulta. Ramila Mistry chipped in to say her daughter was also similarly qualified.

Photo op with the birthday girl

Then Monthi Serrao came up with a belly-aching story of how her son used to taken away by a neighborhood woman in Chakala every morning and was returned in the evening, well-fed and happy.
“All day he only kicked and kicked people who came to him complaining of backache,” Monthi narrated. “But when it was my turn, his kicks did not work. I still have my backache and need to use a belt.”
She added that today, her son is a practicing physiotherapist, trained in the U.S., but she would advise him to revive his kicking practice also: “Laath marega, phir uska physiotherapy karega and double income banayega!”
In keeping with this spirit of bonhomie, we danced and sang to Nahid Khan’s birthday as she celebrated with candies and chocolates. For the first time, exercises were disrupted as everyone was keen to dance and cheer her while in the circle. Once again, this is wishing her the very best – a long and healthy life and infinite happiness.
Bhaswati Bose:
Janamdin Mubarak, Bhai! Aap hamesha "form" mein raho aur hamari raksha karte raho.
Srichand Arora:
JANAM DIN KI BAHUT BAHUT BADHAIYAN, BHAI JAAN!
Jagmohan Papneja:
Wish you a very happy birthday, Nahid-ji. I wish also that you continue to conduct our morning exercises for many years to come with the same enthusiasm and energy.