World Cup Final

Sunita Jajodia

The late-night telecast of the FIFA World Cup final in Brazil had taken a toll on today’s attendance at the Garden. We were barely a dozen this morning during the exercises – all groggy and bleary eyed after watching Germany defeat Argentina 1-0 in a keenly fought match to lift the trophy at 4:00 a.m. India time.
The most surprising part was the level of interest and the extent of knowledge our members evinced about football (and we always thought that everyone was a cricket fan) if only to prove how closely they had been following the tournament over the past month-and-half. Even Nahid Khan had an opinion. “The Argentine goalkeeper was actually tired out,” she proffered. “Or else, he wouldn’t have allowed that goal!” Clearly, she was an Argentina supporter – as indeed most of us were.
Against this backdrop, Sunita Jajodia’s absence had become the cause for some dark humour. Shekhawat informed that she had hurt herself by skidding in the bathroom and had been rendered immobile.

Santosh Tyagi offers prasad to Srichand Arora

During the conversation that followed, this was amplified as “Sunita had a big fall” (as though she was Humpty Dumpty) and before long, to “Sunita has broken her back”.
A little bird chirping continuously above our heads drew Arun Patil’s attention and he gamely assured Santosh Tyagi that there was nothing really to worry about her friend. “Sunita is up there sitting on the branches, making noise… Look, she won’t stop at all!” Santosh promptly disowned the bird.
Santosh however, had a surprise treat for us. She had conducted a satyanarayan puja in her house on Guru Purnima day (last Saturday) and came this morning with the prasad. Turning up late, Srichand Arora was taken aback when a ripe banana, some coconut slices and roasted flour were thrust at him. His head, still fuzzy with the World Cup hangover, could barely catch the words ‘prasad’ and ‘Guru Purnima’. Imagining that Santosh had turned into a spiritual guru overnight, he respectfully bowed his head and became her disciple on the spot. Not one to disappoint anybody, Santosh gave him her blessings.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Football is the most exciting sport in the world. Congratulations, Germany for winning the World Cup final of 2014. Mario Gotze's superb goal sealed the victory.
Harish Wadhwa:
* Mata Shree-Santosh Devi ka bahut bahut dhanyawad. Aap jaldi-jaldi aisee Satyanarayan Bhagwan-ji ki katha karti rahein, aur apne bhakton ko prasad baant-ti rahein. Sarey bhakton ko bhi tabhi santosh hoga.
* Hamein FIFA World Cup se kya lena-dena? India toh waise bhi ranking mein 150 sthaan par hai. Bhakti-aur pooja ke parinam jyada santosh pradan karne wale hote hain Big Laaf ke liye. Iss liye us mein man lagayen. Bolo Santosh-ima jee ki jai!.