Teachers’ Day 2013

Hearty felicitations to Nahid Khan on Teachers' Day

That we make for an unashamedly famished and greedy lot is a well-established fact. Shorn of all civility, we do not hesitate to remind one another for birthday treats well in advance. Should a birthday girl or boy come empty-handed, s/he is promptly needled, “Looks like you forgot to get something.” (Ask Monthi Serrao, she had to encounter this once!)

Nazma Sayed is overwhelmed by all the attention on her birthday

And when you come lugging a box of sweets, there are people who would mischievously pop the question, “What’s in that box?”
Today, Nazma Sayed was to discover that the bar had been raised for her birthday. Her friends wanted to know why she did not organize a lavish phapda-jalebi party. The lady had come with a box of barfi and explained that she did not want to hassle anyone with running up and down for freshly-fried phapda-jalebi. “Besides, Grover-sah’b said we don’t have parties in the Garden any longer,” she added.
Grover denied saying anything of the sort, which was only to give Razia Khan & Co a handle to tease Nazma further until it was settled that anybody could celebrate with any number of parties and there would always be takers among us. The point is, such liberties can be taken only with a person who shares a certain emotional closeness with us and is not offended by the playful jibes. Nazma not only retorted gamely to every teaser but was so overwhelmed (see pic) by all the love and affection showered on her that she nearly broke into tears.
But the high point of the morning was really the surprise felicitation accorded to Nahid Khan – today being Teachers’ Day as well. Of all those who conduct our exercises, she is by far the most consistent, diligent and disciplined teacher – so much so that even while fasting during Ramzaan, she was regular at the exercises. The moment her name was called out, she jumped up with childlike glee and gracefully accepted the red rose presented from the Club as a token of appreciation. For once, the earphones were not plugged to her ears!
Jagmohan Papneja:
* Nazma-ji, your kaju barfi tasted good. You see smiles and laughter here every day and not just on your birthday. Many, many happy returns of the day.
* Nahid-ji, thanks for being such a good teacher of exercise always. So the award goes to you. Happy Teachers Day.