Done Deal

'Council of Picnickers' deliberate over preparations and arrangements for the June 20 excursion to Lonavala.

The June 20 picnic at Lonavala is now a done deal. The passenger manifest has been finalized. Harish Wadhwa has collected the advance to be paid for booking a 17-seater Tourister which would take us to and fro on Saturday.

Celebrating Shekhawat's recovery from heart surgery

Instructions for our lunch are to be passed on by Shekhawat today.
Srichand Arora convened a meeting to elicit views and suggestions of those who have signed up and in effect, tie up all loose ends for the trip. The general consensus was that there will be no need for an air-conditioned bus and after weighing all options, including the quotations from tour operators, it was found that Harish’s office contractor offered us the best deal. Breakfast would be en route at a specialty restaurant in Chembur and lunch served around 2:00 pm. at the hill station. We should leave Lonavala before sundown.
More than motivation and mobilizing numbers, sheer determination got us cracking on the picnic.

Sandhya Narang

Sunita Jajodia had declared last Monday (see post) that come what may, go we must this weekend and within three days, everything has been finalized to the last detail. Our only regret is that Shekhawat shall not be joining us (see post of July 16) this time much as he is fully involved in the preparations and more importantly, he is keen to go. But his health does not permit him and worse, he is facing stiff opposition from his family members and doctors treating him for his heart condition.
Today, his wife dropped by briefly to request us not to insist on him going to Lonavala because, even though he has recovered to a great extent from his heart surgery last month, it would be risky for him to undertake a long road trip for the present. She left behind a box of luddoos – actually prasad from a puja organized by the family as thanksgiving for his recovery.
We could have had another round of luddoos, had Sandhya Narang come this morning. It was her birthday today. So in her absence we cheered and raised an extra laugh for her after the exercises. This is once again wishing her the best – a long, healthy and happy life ahead.
Bhaswati Bose:
Dear Sandhya, good things happen when you go for them. A very Happy Birthday to you!
Harish Wadhwa:
* A Happy Birthday and many many happy returns of the day, Sandhya-ji. We had luddoos for a double cause!
* Good luddoos seem to be a weakness of one and all. Look at all the 'young' enjoying the sweet, which otherwise their families may have never allowed them.
* Shekhawat-ji is certainly looking fine and healthy. May God bless him better health with each passing day.
Srichand Arora:
CONGRATULATIONS! THE LONAVALA PICNIC HAS GOT GOOD RESPONSE. THE 17-SEATER VAN IS FULL AND NOW NO MORE MEMBER CAN BE ACCOMMODATED. SORRY, ALL LATE-COMERS!!!