Shukla, It Is!

Ram Shankar Shukla, NOW

Ram Shankar Shukla, THEN

Ram Shankar Shukla today stood ‘exposed’ – mole, warts and all – as the results of the eighth edition of Pehchaan Kaun (see post of July 14) were announced to a full house at the Garden shed this morning. The prize-winning entry was decided by a draw of lots from the five all-correct qualifiers – Sunita Jajodia, Harish Wadhwa, Srichand Arora, Ved Prakash Grover and Monthi Serrao. And SRICHAND ARORA was declared the winner!
For the first time, no prize/ trophy was given upon the announcement of results. The presentation ceremony has been pushed to August 10, 2013 (Saturday).
However, in a bid to ensure that the occasion does not pass without celebration, Teja Singh Bhambra produced a bottle of wine to raise a toast for the winner. It was the most endearing gesture anyone could have imagined and was instantly greeted with all-round applause. In all humility the genial sardar announced, “Sharaab layah hoon ji!” and added a rider, “Ladies bhi pee sakti… It is only wine.”

Teja Singh gifts the bottle of wine to the Club

Just to hear him repeat the s-word, the ladies mischievously pestered him saying, “Sardar-ji, aap kya laye ho?” and were promptly rewarded with a loud “Sharaab” each time. He surely knows how to keep everyone amused and in good spirits!

THE WINNER: Srichand Arora

But then, the bottle had to remain corked (and was saved for another day) since Arun Patil was celebrating his birthday. He turned 60 today. And he had come prepared with whiskey and drinking glasses...just in case Arora followed up on his instructions from yesterday (see post). Arun said he wanted to celebrate his birthday in a big way but because of a bout of breathlessness, had to restrict himself to barfis and tea.

Many happy returns of the day, Arun!

We wish him speedy recovery and the world’s goodness on hitting this landmark year.
In the end though, we could not understand what had made Arun identify Sitaram Hivarkar as a probable ‘suspect’ for the Pehchaan Kaun contest. Or, for Shekhawat to see Arun in that photograph. Or, for that matter, Ramila Mistry concluding that it had to be Harish Wadhwa. While the opinion of all others was divided between Ved Prakash Grover and Tara Chand Seth, the best entry came from Ram Shankar Shukla himself. He was absolutely spot-on at identifying himself… and naturally, had to be disqualified.
Harish Wadhwa:
* When you see the two pictures side-by-side, one cannot doubt the resemblance. It is amazing how people transform with age -- from "Apna Ram" to the respectable "Shukla-ji". A good morning indeed, with all members gelling in great camaraderie and fun.
* Teja Singh-ji's efforts will not go in vain as the wine will be gulped by one and all during the prize distribution ceremony next Saturday.
* A great birthday to our Badmaash Company friend, Arun. Sweets were great and so are you. Congratulations, as you turn 60 today and may you celebrate many, many such birthdays in the years to come.
* Just for Laafs: Arora-ji, everyone knows Badmaash Company and its kingpin. So you needn't put up your name. Akkha Andheri aur Mumbai mujhe 'BC-ke-Don' naam se janta hai.
* Khoob jamega rang, jab mil baithenge char yaar/ Shekhawat-ji, Teja Singh-ji, Arora-ji aur Grover-ji... Waise aaj ki hee shaam ka kya khayal hai? Arun-bhai, Bose Babu aur Papneja-ji ka bhi bahut dil hai!
Srichand Arora:
* Arun-ji, ab toh bhago to get a Senior Citizen I-Card, which will entitle you to get so many concessions including one-free-on-one (bottle of...)!
* Teja Singh-ji, I know you are thinking, kitne besharam hain hum, sharaab bhee mang kar peete hain. Sir-ji, I was just kidding and you took it to be a serious demand. Anyway thanks a lot!
Jagmohan Papneja:
* Many, Many Happy Returns of the Day, Mr Arun. In the end, it's not the year in your life that counts. It's the life in your years. Happy Birthday!
* Teja Singh-ji has fulfilled his commitment by offering a bottle of wine to Srichand Arora-ji after his Goa visit. It is not the gift, but the thought that counts.
Bhaswati Bose:
Arun-bhai, another year older, another year wiser. Have a wonderful, happy and healthy birthday!