Picnic with Purpose

The picnic 'think tank' at work

Hari Singh Shekhawat has been entrusted with organising a day picnic within a fortnight. Where we go is unimportant. What is important is that Shekhawat gets to do what he does best and enjoys most – mobilizing people, making phone calls, booking transport, collecting cash… but all of this, subject to express permission from his doctors.
Since early morning Shekhawat had been showing signs of extreme fatigue (which some interpreted as depression) and breathlessness, so much so that he was unable to talk without gasping for air. It seems that yesterday, he had gone for his physio follow-up at the hospital where his bypass surgery was done and the workout there had left him exhausted.
When Srichand Arora, Monthi Serrao and other well-wishers advised him not to punish himself by coming to the Garden in a stressed-out state, Shekhawat’s answer was simple and honest: “But what do I do at home?

Razia Khan

Staying indoors from morning to night is unbearable. I feel suffocated. By coming here, at least I get to meet you all. Otherwise I will go mad.”
That was when the picnic idea was tossed and Shekhawat’s face instantly lit up. He said he would obtain the doctors’ approval at his next appointment on Friday – by which time we must decide on where exactly to go. While a majority pitched for Lonavala (given the pleasant weather conditions there), some like Tara Chand asked for some place/ resort closer home. Arora and a few others ruled out staying overnight anywhere.
The conflict of opinions notwithstanding, what became eminently clear was that just the idea of a picnic could bring about a huge transformation in Shekhawat. Suddenly he became upbeat with an extra spring in his step. As some members observed, where medical science failed, the simple idea of a picnic had worked wonders on Shekhawat. He would be fully back in form even before setting out!
There is however, one stumbling block which surprisingly, did not strike anybody today. A July picnic would coincide with Ramzaan, thus eliminating the participation of our Muslim members. Already Razia Khan has left for Ajmer and would be seen at the Garden after the holy month. The option therefore available is to either go ahead with diminished numbers or else, push the picnic to August.
Harish Wadhwa:
Shekhawat-ji is fine and will feel better each day amid his friends. He should continue to come, even if it means just sitting there and watching others exercise.