Healing Touch

Yusuf Rassiwala makes light of the Kerala 'adventure'

After Shekhawat’s fiery outburst yesterday (see post), Yusuf Rassiwala appeared this morning to apply the proverbial healing balm. He cheerfully dismissed all suggestions of any problem during the just-concluded Kerala trip and insisted, “We had a lot of fun”. In what appeared as a deliberate cover-up, he denied that anybody in the 40-member group was put to any distress and maintained that “everybody enjoyed a lot”.
Understandably, Yusuf was trying to ensure that no dirty linen is washed in public. “It is no joke managing a group of 40 people on such a long excursion,” he explained. “All were senior citizens. Some were weak and infirm.

Mumtaz and Jagmohan confabulate

We ought to thank our stars that there was no casualty or untoward incident and everybody could return home safe and sound. Had even one person met with an accident, the vacation of the entire group would have been ruined.”
Yusuf also had a kind word for the tour operator who “did not abandon us midway” through the trip. But he had no answer for the incidents of wanton indiscipline, unruly behaviour, petty thieving, shoplifting and the free-for-all some people in the group (mostly non-members) indulged in. “We must be careful not to take along such a big group in future,” he said evasively. “But on the whole, it was a great adventure. We all enjoyed a lot!”
Yusuf had obviously been following the blog and was aware of the parallel picnic organized locally (see post of February 15) during his absence. “I am sure you people also enjoyed a lot at Chhota Kashmir,” he chirped. He was also aware of Shekhawat’s emotional showdown at the Garden yesterday. So in his own way, he felt the need for some damage control and smoothen a few ruffled feathers.
Jagmohan Papneja invited Yusuf for the Mushaira Evening he is organising at the Garden today from 6:00 pm onwards and informed that many 'celebrities', including Mumtaz Jahan’s actor son would be attending. Mumtaz and Jagmohan got into a huddle soon after the exercises to finalise the programming.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Yusuf-bhai did not miss the opportunity to make Shekhawat-ji happy by his kind words. Those words were more healing to a drooping heart than any balm.