A Non-Issue

"Why must you leave us in the lurch? This is not fair!"

These days, because of the rains, the newly-created shed in the Garden where we exercise, is invariably taken up by another group, comprising 10 to 15 middle-aged men and women. Each of them has paid Rs10,000 to be trained for the next Mumbai Marathon. Under the supervision of a professional trainer, they go through their motions noiselessly and minutes before it is our time to move in, they would vacate the premises and disperse.
We have never had a problem with this arrangement. (Fact is we couldn’t care one way or the other.) But there are others – particularly, those taking rounds on the walking track – who want us to believe there is a problem. Why? Because this is a commercial activity being conducted in what is ostensibly a public garden. And somebody is making money.
When a lady accosted Ved Prakash Grover, asking if he was “okay with what was going on”, he simply shrugged his shoulders and looked the other way. Later, Arora was approached to lodge a formal protest. He burst out laughing: “We are the ones creating a ruckus and you want us to complain against these peaceful people who come and go silently?” Likewise Shekhawat and Jagmohan Papneja have been evasive, despite pressure to take action against “misuse” of the Garden.
As a non-issue gets blown out of proportion, Sardar Teja Singh takes another break to visit his home town, Faridabad.

Jagmohan Papneja

He said his goodbyes today, promising to be back after a month. We wish him a safe and happy journey.
Jagmohan Papneja:
The matter of training 'marathon runners' was brought to the notice of Mr Hemant Nair, Secretary, Celebration Club. The group is connected with an agency, Run India, which is utilizing the garden premises and charging Rs 10,000 per person per session for the training. It was conveyed that morning walkers were raising objections to this practice as it upset their activities. Mr Nair told me to stop this activity immediately as no permission from his end has been granted. The needful will be done.