R-Day Preparation

Arora makes Republic Day announcement

Scramble for Tara Chand's 'sweets from U.P.'

Over the past couple of years, national day celebrations have come to assume great importance in the Club’s calendar. What began with the cursory waving of paper flags and singing of the national anthem had turned into a full-fledged celebration on August 15 last year with Monthi Serrao, tricolor held aloft, proudly leading the Independence Day march around the Garden (see post). This year, the same patriotic fervor is being drummed up for the day-after-tomorrow – Republic Day.
Making the announcement this morning, Srichand Arora appealed to all members to assemble for the celebration early morning even as it is a Sunday. He said that we shall raise the Indian tricolor and circumambulate the walking track, following which there would be a brief ceremony of singing the national anthem. Light refreshments and tea would be served to all participants.
Most importantly, he urged that this tradition should never be broken and is carried forward diligently, year after year, by the Club.
As expected, curiosity mounted on what the “light refreshments” would constitute with some members requesting Arora to kindly spell out what he had in mind. Many cheekily asked if they should get their wine and champagne glasses also to celebrate. When Arora replied that he was “bound by a budget sanctioned by the treasurer of the Club”, the pranksters offered to bring their own soda if some kind soul agreed to foot the bill for the rest. Nobody volunteered.
Instead, Tara Chand Seth offered some jaggery-coated “mithai from U.P.” he had picked up on a recent trip to Lucknow. He was there on his way back from Delhi to attend a family wedding – and had thought of us. He could not remember what the sweets were called, but that did not matter. The soft crunchy delicacy was completely out of this world -- something none of us had ever tasted earlier.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Consumption of alcohol in a public place is prohibited. If the police catch you drunk in a public place, they might arrest or place you in custody if it is necessary for your safety. Please be careful in this matter.