Odd Man Out

Arora exercises one arm only 

As with any organization, the Club has many people whose presence, particularly for the exercises, is taken for granted. Likewise, there are members whose absence is taken for granted. There are also some whose presence or absence, either way, does not matter. And then we have a select few whose absence, even for a day, calls for explanation.
Srichand Arora was to learn this today when he was ticked off by Nahid Khan for not turning up yesterday. Like many others, he had taken the morning off because of the rains. But he had an additional reason. On his way back from Sion last Friday, the auto-rickshaw he was traveling in collided with a car, leaving him badly hurt.
The injury on his left shoulder is particularly grave and might require a sling. Yet, he came today for the exercises.

Happy Birthday Sitaram Hivarkar

Far from commending him for the effort, everyone wanted to know how he could abscond without prior intimation yesterday. He was the Arora, after all!
His awkward one-arm exercising itself became the butt of many jokes. Santosh Tyagi was however, more concerned about the damage caused to the car by bumping into Arora. And when Tara Chand Seth wanted to know how many females there were in the car, Arora lost his cool. “I had given you a one-way ticket to Delhi,” he shouted at Tara Chand. “How did you get back?”
Incidentally Arora, along with Sitaram Hivarakar and Yusuf Rassiwala, was to call on Bapu Rane’s widow yesterday and present her the commemorative album (see post of June 8) on behalf of the Club. Apparently, the rains put paid to their plans and now it seems, Sitaram has sent word that he is not available today.
Fact is Sitaram is celebrating his birthday at the Siddhivinayak Temple. He has turned 75 today. What’s more, his birthday coincides with his granddaughter’s. Last year on this day (see posts of June 11 and 12, 2012) he had thrown a grand party at GMS Banquet Hall, D.N.Nagar to which we were all invited. It now seems like yesterday.
As we await our share of prasad from Siddhivinayak, here’s wishing Sitaram many happy returns of the day – a wonderful life ahead, good health and complete peace of mind.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Sitaram-ji, on your 75th birthday, my best wishes for a wonderful day filled with plenty of smiles and laughter.
Harish Wadhwa:
* Sitaram-ji, many happy returns on your diamond jubilee birthday. May Ganpati-ji bless you with a clear century.
* We deeply sympathise with the car-wali who had hit Arora-ji's auto. The damage must have been severe. Sorry, sorry... We sympathise deeply with Arora-ji who got hit for no reason. Get well soon Arora-ji. Just can't digest even the thought of a prominent member of the Club getting injured like this. God bless you with a quick recovery. Aap bole toh, hum sarey car walon ki thukai kar dete hain!
Srichand Arora:
* Thanks a lot to all of you and especially, Harish-ji. I appreciate your concern and that is why we are together in the Club as each one of us is about all. Thanks once again.
* Harish-ji, car wale ko thokna nahin kyon ki pahale hi muzse takra kar total damage ka full claim daala hai.
* Sitaram-ji, aapko janm din ki koti-koti badhaiyan. Ishwar se prarthana hai aapki zindagi bahut hi khushiyon se bhari hui ho.
Harish Wadhwa:
Arora-ji theek kaha aapne. Par humne suna hai ki woh car-wali thi, na ke car-wala! Aur kyon ki woh khubsoorat car-wali thee, aap apna damage claim wapis le lein. Uss jati ke logon ke liye sab maaf hai !