Day 1391

Pic of the Week

Ready for the next shot?

Bhaswati Bose:
Is he the 'Hero Hiralal' of Big Laaf Club?

‘Balle-Balle!’

Shekhawat on a collection spree for Mahabaleshwar

This is Shekhawat’s acknowledgment every time somebody pays him money for the excursion to Mahabaleshwar scheduled for September 16. Since his announcement earlier this week (ref post of August 27) he has said ‘Balle Balle’ about ten times. He is expecting another half a dozen members to pay their share for the trip by Monday after which he will throw open the bookings to non-members. Come what may, he needs at least 30 members to fill a medium-sized bus and what’s more, some money needs to be advanced to the tour operator at the very earliest.
But that’s the least of Shekhawat’s worries. He is confident enough to "mobilize the entire Garden and even take two busloads" to Mahabaleshwar with him. What bothers him more is allotment of seats in the bus and rooms in the hotel.

Mallika Kagzi

Past excursions have taught him one important lesson: Members move in pairs, if not in packs. Nobody travels alone. A Nahid Khan has to be clubbed with a Lakshmi Hadimani (or vice versa). Razia Khan will not go if Nafisa Sayyad (in Pune) does not go. Bhaswati Bose will go if Monthi Serrao goes and Santosh Tyagi will go if Bhaswati Bose goes and Sunita Jajodia will go if Santosh Tyagi goes and so on.
To Shekhawat, recognising these subtle linkages is the key to the success of any excursion. He tried to pair a yoga group lady with one of our members and was told in no uncertain terms, “Woh meri cup-of-tea nahin hai!” So now Shekhawat has to find her a suitable cup-of-tea or else, dump her. This is apart from the compulsions of ensuring that no husband-wife has to spend the nights separately. Or for that matter, an odd man out is not ‘adjusted’ in a female’s room.
Amid all the high drama accompanying these permutations and combinations, Mallika Kagzi reported ill. For a long time prior to the exercises, she sat all alone outside a photography shop (near the Garden gate) complaining of giddiness. She was advised to return home but refused. She even joined the exercises and after 10 minutes, could not take it any longer. She excused herself saying she felt faint and feverish and left for home.
We hope and pray it isn’t anything serious and that she gets well soon.

'It's a Boy!'

Who's photograph could this be?

Five days have elapsed since the announcement of the 10th edition of the Pehchaan Kaun guessing game (ref post of August 24). And so far, only five entries have come in. As always, participants were given ten days to put a name to the boy’s face; but somehow, the responses this time have been quite tardy. Either people have turned extra-cautious and would rather wait and watch till the last moment. Or else, they are genuinely confused by the identity of the boy.
However, this much can be said: Of the five responses received so far, an overwhelming majority points towards Jagmohan Papneja.

Could it be Jagmohan Papneja?

Details cannot be disclosed at this point as it could provide clues to those who have not yet sent their entries and place them at an unfair advantage. Early morning though, they can all be seen comparing notes in the China Hut, bouncing off names and discreetly making inquires about one another’s background.
Mallika Kagzi is convinced that the face must be either Arun Patil’s or Bihari Milwani’s.

Or is it Ved Prakash Grover?

Nahid Khan would go by Arun’s, even as her bosom friend Lakshmi Hadimani insists that it has to be Harish Wadhwa. Monthi Serrao promptly dismissed her, opining that Harish’s “ears are toink” (whatever that might mean) unlike what the photograph suggests.
Then there’s Srichand Arora who has been changing his stance with every sunrise – from Shekhawat to Jagmohan to Ved Prakash Grover… Today, he physically compared a printout of the photograph with each of their faces, interviewed them loudly and became none the wiser. Jagmohan said he had a doubt about Arun Patil (if not Grover) but wouldn’t put anything in writing now. Sunita Jajodia got her Eureka moment when she announced triumphantly, “Whoever this is, it is a boy!” But then Shekhawat is not convinced. He has detected kajal in the boy’s eyes and maintains it is Sunita dressed like a boy. Finally, Arora was to have the last word: “Whoever this may be, he must have had an affluent childhood. He is even wearing a cardigan!”
Jagmohan Papneja:
On the auspicious occasion of Ganesha Chaturthi, may Lord Ganesha bestow you with eternal bliss, peace and contentment. A very happy and blessed Ganesha Chaturthi to you and your family.
Srichand Arora:
I stick to my earlier statement. But let me clarify here that though Jagmohan Papneja belongs to Punjab, after the division of the old state of Punjab, the area Mr Papneja belongs to has gone to Haryana. So now I can say he belongs to Haryana.

New Dugout

The dugout outside the China Hut

Santosh Tyagi invites the Club for Ganesh Puja

Like in cricket, a dugout has come up on the periphery of the area where we exercise – except that, unlike IPL matches, our dugout is meant solely for those who cannot stand for too long while exercising. Plastic chairs are laid out for them, just in case they would like to be seated and still roll their heads or throw their arms around with the others.
The current regulars for these little white ‘thrones’ are Ved Prakash Grover, Sunita Jajodia and Ruksana Khan – all suffering from chronic knee issues. They need the rest. Today Santosh Tyagi became a new addition as she came into the Garden with measured steps and straightaway took a chair in the dugout. Apparently, she had suffered a bad knock at home, hurting her back. It seems she misjudged the sofa while sitting down and landed on a sharp edge.
But Santosh had a reason to visit us in spite of the physical agony. She is having Ganesh Puja at home and wanted us all to be there. So touched was Yusuf Rassiwala that he couldn’t help remarking why she had taken the trouble to come to the Garden. “You should have asked Ganapati-ji to come instead,” he quipped.
While on physical afflictions, here’s what might unfortunately read as a Medical Bulletin:
* Ghasi Ram Garg is out of coma at Kokilaben Hospital. According to wife Neelam, there has been “marked improvement” since the time he was admitted with brain hemorrhage (ref post of August 9). He can now sit up and recognize people – but cannot speak.
* Ram Shankar Shukla is fit and fine and was spotted walking around Lokhandwala Market. On August 23 (see post) he had suffered a mild fainting fit while exercising and had to be escorted home. Shekhawat is monitoring his health on phone.
* Mrs Harbans Kaur has been running high fever with chest congestion (ref post of August 20) the cause of which remains unclear. According to Monthi Serrao, her condition had turned so bad that she was almost hospitalized. The trouble is that her husband and grandson are also down with fever.
* Arun Patil was discharged day-before-yesterday from Prabhakar Shetty Hospital where he was undergoing treatment for an ugly sore below his little toe that had turned gangrenous (ref post of August 21). Pieces of broken bones had to be removed, rendering the toe lifeless. Arun has a diabetic foot.
Our prayers go to all of them.
Jagmohan Papneja:
God has answered our prayers for the recovery of our fellow members. May God bless all those who are going through a rough patch in life.
Anonymous:
Such great news regarding Mr Garg. He surely has answered our prayers and surely his improvement will increase daily. God bless the entire family.

Mahabaleshwar Next

MAHABALESHWAR: highest hill station in Maharashtra

It’s just over a fortnight since our last excursion to Lonavala (ref post of August 9). And today, Shekhawat has come up with a new trip, to Mahabaleshwar. “It shall be a three-day picnic, beginning September 16,” he announced. “The bus will pick us from the Garden at 7:00 a.m. sharp and drop us back here on September 18 evening. We’ll cover all the scenic spots and main points of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani.”
Anybody observing Shekhawat closely for the past fortnight would have known this was coming. Not for once has he changed his multi-pocket greenish-brown shorts during this period.

Santosh Tyagi

He has many other shorts (and a pair of dark blue track pants as well), but every time there’s ‘picnic’ ticking in his head, this greenish-brown shorts never leaves him. There’s some magic in those shorts which has ensured that all past trips, be it Lonavala or Kerala, Vaishno Devi or Himachal Pradesh has worked out well.
But then, the credit for sowing the Mahabaleshwar idea must go to Santosh Tyagi.

There's magic in those green-brown shorts!

She had visited Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar with her family during the Independence Day-weekend (see post of August 19) and since then has been singing paens over the twin hill-stations. That was just the trigger Shekhawat had needed to get cracking and now, within a week he has firmed up on the programme with Hotel Hill View and his trusted bus operators, Tour India.
The best part about the trip is the economics. Shekhawat has been able to negotiate a fabulous deal with the hotel which should take care of not only stay (in deluxe rooms on a twin-sharing basis), but also meals, sightseeing and local transport – all for a price that would make a Lonavala trip seem exorbitant. The hotel would have also provided the bus from Mumbai and back (as part of its package), but there too Shekhawat has been able to economise by drawing Tour India in. In effect, the Mahabaleshwar trip comes at a price offer that will be hard for any of us to refuse.
No wonder, Shekhawat refuses to shed those greenish-brown shorts!

Movie Shoot

Shooting in progress

We all got to be two-bit actors today. This was for a movie no one had any clue about, even as Jagmohan Papneja had sounded us in advance. Additionally, Shekhawat reminded everyone to be in their best attire and appearance for the shoot.

Shekhawat conducts laughter exercises for the camera

People not belonging to the Club were also invited. Extra caps were kept ready for them if only to give the impression that we were collectively united by a common headgear.
So there we were – nearly 30 of us – nattily dressed, capped, powdered and perfumed, ready for the shoot. The laughter round got over with no sign of the film crew. For the main exercises, Razia Khan stepped in the middle amid grudging noises from the likes of Nahid Khan. Everyone wanted to be in centre-frame for the film. But Razia had no luck. Eventually, during the second laughter round, a young man with a camcorder and a girl walked in.

Jagmohan readies for his shoot

Soon, they were joined by another girl.
Earlier on, Shekhawat had been  invited to conduct this round and sure enough, he was in his elements -- lustily clapping, laughing and jiving for the camera. It listlessly whirred, zoomed and panned… and suddenly it was all over. Or so we thought. For, as the yoga group settled in the China Hut, the actual shoot began. One by one, we were tutored to say, “Mera poora bharosa hai…” (followed by any rubbish) for the benefit of the camera. Without a second thought, we mouthed the line little realizing that we had unwittingly provided valuable sound-bites for stock footage, patently meant for a commercial. Now nothing stops this ‘film unit’ from splicing the clips as an endorsement for any product or service without spending a rupee on studio rentals, actors fees, equipment hire, permissions, etc. Big Laaf has generously provided it all for free.
We wish we can be proved wrong. But till then, don’t be surprised if you see a smiling Monthi Serrao or Yusuf Rassiwala showing up at the end of a TV commercial, plugging a health product, cockroach repellant, skin ointment, detergent, insurance policy, just about anything… with the catch phrase, “Mera poora bharosa hai!” delivered with aplomb and complete conviction.
Bhaswati Bose:
Just a suggestion: If and when there is a shoot involving Big Laaf members by outsiders, we ought to charge them and the money should go to the club fund. This would be a way to generate revenue for the club.
Harish Wadhwa:
Bhaswati-ji, you forgot snacks and chai, which are also a must for the hard work we put in for such shoots. LOL
Monthi Serrao:
I agree with Bhaswati's suggestion. We give our valuable morning time to them and the money should go to BIG LAAF.

Noble Deed

The wheelchair is wheeled into the Garden

For all our madcap antics and wayward behaviour, we were able to claim some credit today for a good deed done – thanks entirely to Jagmohan Papneja. As secretary of the Club, he was under pressure to provide a wheelchair for Sitaram Hivarkar’s wife. The latter is down with a crippling knee problem, making it almost impossible for her to walk. As Sitaram has to attend to her from early morning, his exercise routine had gone for a toss.
Being the proverbial good samaritan and also, fully aware of the financial constraints of the Club, Jagmohan did the next best thing. He went around looking for someone who would donate a wheelchair to the Club.

Mr and Mrs Sitaram Hivarkar

Eventually, he zeroed in on a retired director from the Geological Survey of India in Lucknow who was on a short visit to Mumbai.
Virendra Mohan’s daughter is physically challenged and uses a wheelchair. Last week, she packed her bags and left for Delhi, leaving the wheelchair behind in Mumbai. Apparently, she has no more use for it as she has another wheelchair for herself in Delhi.
On Jagmohan’s request, Virendra Mohan turned up at the Garden this morning and delivered the wheelchair.

Jagmohan with Virendra Mohan

“My daughter will be only too happy if this could come to anybody’s help,” he said with extreme humility. “Otherwise this will just lie unutilized here, gathering dust. Tomorrow, I shall be going back to Lucknow.”
Sitaram was not present to receive the gift. Failing to contact him on phone, Jagmohan rushed to his house in Bihari Milwani’s car, hoping to get him to meet Virendra Mohan. But there too, he drew a blank.
Returning to the Garden, he entrusted the wheelchair to Swati Punjabi, Sitaram’s building neighbour. “We needed a donor, we already had the donee (sic), my job was to get them together,” Jagmohan quipped before slipping out of the scene.
Watching the happy turn of events, Srichand Arora spoke on behalf of the Club: “Jagmohan-ji, we are indeed proud of you.” We applauded the good samaritan, basking in his reflected glory.
Harish Wadhwa:
A noble gesture of Virendra Mohan-ji to donate the wheelchair and we all thank him very much for this. Thanks also to Papneja-ji for discovering Virendra-bhai. Help can come in simple and in heartwarming ways.

Day 1384

Pehchaan Kaun – 10

Sure, you have all seen this ‘boy’. You could even be meeting him every morning.
But how many of you really KNOW:
(a) Where he hails from (the city or state)?
(b) How many children does he have?
(c) Was he in business or holding a job before joining Big Laaf?
You have 10 days, beginning today, to identify this person and reply to the above three questions. It could well be your turn to pick up the crystal trophy for your effort. So get started and post your entries NOW. Past winners are also eligible to participate. But, for a change, the winner among the all-correct entries this time will be decided by the ‘boy’ himself.

FOR THE FINAL OUTCOME, DO CHECK POST OF SEPTEMBER 6, 2014

Black Tongue

Ram Shankar Shukla is fed lozenges

Hari Singh Shekhawat’s famed black tongue came into full play this morning. From the start of the exercises, Sunita Jajodia had been warning him not to bring up anybody’s name during the Kissa Kursi Ka or Lion-Lioness Laughter rounds. “Every time you take someone’s name on that tongue, the person falls ill,” Sunita reminded him.
“Nothing like that,” Shekhawat dismissed her. “Look, Nahid Khan has fallen ill today. Have I ever mentioned her name?”
“But you have been shouting Razia-Razia and she has stopped coming,” Sunita argued.
“Razia has gone to Poona,” Shekhawat retorted. “How am I responsible for that?”
Ram Shankar Shukla became the scapegoat today when Shekhawat hailed him during the Kissa Kursi Ka exercise: “Jai Gurukul, wherever you are, baith jaao!”

Shekhawat: Loss of words

Shukla burst out laughing, only to have Sunita charging at Shekhawat: “Now watch out, you have mentioned his name and he will not come on Monday.”
“No-no-no, I’ll come on Monday,” Shukla assured everybody.
He had spoken too soon. Within minutes, his condition deteriorated so badly that standing, arms outstretched like Jesus Christ and with the railings of the China Hut behind him for support, Shukla started slipping down. Quickly a chair was brought out, but it was too late.

Arora calls on Arun Patil in hospital (ref post of Aug 21) today

He lost consciousness and his body caved in over those trying to support him.
Everybody was confused. Santosh Tyagi lifted one of his legs and Bhaswati Bose picked up another. The idea was to make Shukla lie down and Ruksana Khan even rolled out a mat from somewhere. But he was too heavy to be shifted in that half-sitting position. The ladies frantically fanned him with their dupattas and caps and someone managed to remove Shukla’s t-shirt. It was soaking wet.
Luckily, at this point he regained consciousness, though briefly. Somehow he was made to sit on the chair and lozenges slipped into his mouth. A bottle of water was kept ready. Calls were made to nearby doctors – whoever knew anybody. The entire Garden had gathered around. Bihari Milawani drove in in his red car and ultimately, it was he who took Shukla home. All this while, Shekhawat stood sheepishly at a distance, not uttering a word – his face a portrait of utter disbelief and bewilderment.
Harish Wadhwa:
* Let us keep the superstitions at bay. What is worth commending is how the members quickly got their act together to help our dear Shukla-ji. God bless him with good health. Thanks to Bihari-ji for his generosity to help. This shows that people are generally good at heart and willing to help a fellow colleague when needed. Kudos to all of them. May God bless you all.
* Dear Arun, you too get well soon. May you recover quickly with God's grace.

Clockwork Failure

Busy-bodies all

Time was when our exercises began unfailingly at the dot of seven every morning and whoever was in whatever part of the Garden would rush in and join the circle. Thereafter, things progressed with clockwork precision and by quarter-to-eight, we would be through. People used to correct their watches watching us.
Today also, exercises begin at seven; but by the time people converge and we really get started, it could be well passed 15 minutes. Till then, many would continue to walk round and round the Garden.

Discussions on Panchgani picnic

Those who start the exercises would themselves break into an animated discussion till they are reminded to take their positions. A group of ladies in the China Hut would hate being disturbed in the midst of their conversation and it would take a good deal of persuasion every morning to get them in the circle.
In effect, regular late comers have begun to realize that they are coming early. Kiran Makharia, who is known to arrive at the fag-end of the exercises, now sees that we are yet to start with the second laughter session. Monthi Serrao is another. Today, she was complimented for coming well before time only to reminded by Shekhawat that actually, the rest of us were running late. And Jagmohan Papneja, once a stickler for punctuality, can no longer be accused of late-coming.
Trouble is, we are getting our priorities mixed up. The exercises are no longer the be-all and end-all for reporting at the Garden every morning. Ever since talk about Club formation gained precedence, exercising has become incidental. We meet in the morning – not once, not twice, but in three phases – to engage in some serious jabbering, joking and jeering… and still, that is not enough. Our dil wants more. One group even goes out to a roadside tea shop to continue with the unfinished business, like there’s no tomorrow. Clearly, the exercises provide the pretext for such indulgence.
Jagmohan Papneja:
We need to observe self-discipline, to reach the Garden before 7 O'clock... Even that is not enough. This is also about taking exercises at the right time. Thereafter, make the most of the treats you crave for and take time out to enjoy with jokes and gossip.

Dark Clouds

Arun Patil

These are not the best of times for the Club. Behind all our laughter and bonhomie, there lurks a dark sense of foreboding and uncertainty which seems to be getting worse by the day. The clouds which arrived with the monsoon this year have not yet lifted – neither literally nor metaphorically.
The latest cause for concern is Arun Patil. He was seen limping for the past few days and last evening, he was hospitalized with a near gangrenous foot. It seems a shoe bite (below his little toe) had developed into a sore after he slipped and fell in the bathroom.

Hem Chand Jain

The delicate skin split open and over time, turned septic. It would have become gangrenous had he not sought medical help yesterday.
Arun has a diabetic foot. Not only do wounds take long to heal, he lacks the normal sensations of pain, particularly on his toes where nerve endings are damaged. So wide awake, he underwent an elaborate surgical procedure yesterday and is now biding time, all trussed up at Prabhakar Shetty Hospital, Telli Gali, Andheri (East).

Not the best of times...

Apparently the infection has hit the bone and it may take a week or so to heal; but the good news is that the foot can be saved. So have the doctors assured Arun.
Meanwhile Srichand Arora informs us that Hem Chand Jain is also in a very bad shape and was hospitalized for four days. The 85-year-old has to undergo dialysis twice a week and suddenly last week-end began vomiting uncontrollably. His condition is now being described as “stable”, but he must take complete bed rest.
As for Ghasi Ram Garg, there have been some persistent rumours that he was brought home earlier this week from Kokilaben Hospital. His wife, Neelam today informed that he is still in ICU, attached to a ventilator and after 13 days, is yet to regain consciousness. “He has been able to open his eyes a couple of times and doctors even tried to make him sit up, but in vain,” she narrated. “Please keep praying for him.”
Jagmohan Papneja:
Lifestyle management plays a key role in the prevention and control of many diseases. The ill-effects of diabetes and high blood pressure (especially when a person has both) are extremely grave. Do undergo medical check-ups periodically. After all, prevention is better than cure.

In Continuation…

Mallika Kagzi distributes nankhatai from Surat

In continuation of yesterday’s post, it was Mallika Kagzi’s turn today to feed us. She knows of a particular bakery in Surat that makes extraordinary nankhatai. So on returning from the city (she had gone there actually to pay her condolences on the demise of her sister-in-law) she loaded herself as usual with nankhatai from that shop. And the greedy ingrates we have turned out to be, nobody was satisfied. “When are you going to Surat next?” was the common refrain.
Come to think of it, since last Friday, not a day has gone (barring the Sunday in between) when we were not treated to something or the other. If that is a good thing, we aren’t sure.

Harbans Kaur: Get well soon!

Like bright-eyed kids who love their lollies, knowing well they aren’t supposed to have them, we are getting addicted to the morning treats. Rare is a Yusuf Rassiwala who resists such temptations on health grounds. The rest of us go home dejected on the days when there is nothing to stuff ourselves with after the exercises. If truth be told, we are yet to grow up!
Meanwhile, Shekhawat has started toying with the possibility of yet another ‘picnic’, this time to Panchgani. Santosh Tyagi has sown the idea after her trip the hill station last week – describing the heavenly atmosphere and salubrious surroundings, the five table-top hills there, that Mahabaleshwar is barely a hop, skip and jump away, that it is barely a five hour drive from Mumbai, etc. That Shekhawat isn’t happy with the last Lonavala trip (see post of August 11) has become obvious. So now he wants to make up for it with Panchgani – just that he isn’t getting ‘proper’ dates.
Then there’s news coming in of Harbans Kaur being down with high fever for the past few days. Monthi Serrao had made inquiries and informs us that the fever is just not receding. Even the doctors are worried. Let’s hope and pray she recovers fast and is back on her feet.
Jagmohan Papneja:
* The best time to visit Panchgani is from September to May. Shekhawat-ji has sufficient time to plan the trip.
* Mrs Harbans Kaur, you are in our thoughts and prayers. May Wahe Guru bless you for a speedy recovery.

Festive Mode

Strawberry chewies from Santosh Tyagi

Janmashtami prasad from Sunita Jajodia

The Club seems to have already got into the festival mode. Janmashtami began at midnight on Sunday and yesterday, Kiran Makharia made up for the absence of any celebration in the Garden with her sumptuous birthday (though belated) treat of mouth-watering pedas.

Navroz Mubarak, Shireen Homavazir!

Today it was Sunita Jajodia's turn to distribute Janmashtami prasad from the puja her family held at home yesterday.
The sweets, neatly packed in polythene, were just a precursor to the big jalebi bash our good friend Shireen Homavazir gave for Navroz – the Parsi New Year observed yesterday. A massive box of jalebis was placed on a table near the gate and everyone in the Garden was invited to dig into it to their heart’s content. Needless to mention, the box and its contents (as well as the hand tissue) disappeared within seconds. If that were not enough, there was Santosh Tyagi also, this time marking her return from a short, but well-spent week-end holiday at Panchgani with strawberry chewies!
By the month-end we shall be having the Ganesh festival, to be followed soon by the ten-day Navratri and Dussehra celebrations. And then there would be the mother of all festivities, Diwali, in October. Quite clearly, we have a busy breakfast calendar ahead.
Jagmohan Papneja:
India is often described as a land of fasts, feasts and festivals. A series of festivals lies ahead, as described in the blog. It is said that there are more festivals in India than there are days in the year. Big Laaf will enjoy the celebration of coming festivals together.

Two-in-One

Happy Birthday, Kiran Makharia

Call it memory lapse, delayed response or a sudden prick of conscience, Kiran Makharia celebrated her birthday in the Garden this morning – two days behind time. Today being Dahi-Handi also, we effectively had two celebrations in one!
But that’s only incidental. What mattered more were the home-made pedas Kiran treated us to – fresh, spongy, not-too-sweet, not-too-hard… they simply dissolved in the mouth. Compared to the ready-made refrigerated pedas available in the market or the routine luddoos we have been having every other day, this was one treat that was ‘absolutely divine’. Just goes to prove that a good thing may be delayed, but is always worth the wait.

Geeta Sardana gives an update on Garg

Kiran was actually reluctant to celebrate (ref post of August 13) after her freak accident last year. Soon after distributing the birthday luddoos, she was ‘rewarded’ with a fractured wrist that had to be in plaster for several months. Since then, she had been nursing a complex on celebrating in the Garden and had even spoken about it in as many words. It was her husband, Sajjan Kumar who got her out of this misplaced phobia and had even prepared the pedas for her last evening. (Incidentally, he now promises to make pedas for everyone on their birthday!) By way of abundant caution, Razia Khan escorted Kiran to the Gate, ensuring she got into her car safely.
Meanwhile, anxiety has replaced concern over the state of Ghasi Ram Garg, who lies in coma at Kokilaben Hospital. He was admitted on August 7 following a brain hemorrhage and since then he has been languishing there with no perceptible change in condition. Geeta Sardana is the only one from the Club to be in touch with Mrs Neelam Garg on a day-to-day basis. According to her, the family is hoping against hope for an early recovery while the doctors maintain that he has a “good chance for survival”. Let’s keep praying for him.
Harish Wadhwa:
* Happy Birthday Kiran-ji! Missed the sweet as usual, but I can smell it from the pic. It must be yummy.
* My very sincere prayers for Mr Garg's early recovery. It pains to see the Garg family going through so much stress and pain. Have faith in HIM, he will be fine soon, Neelam-ji.
Renu Babani:
Our prayers are with Neelam and her family. He is taking care of Mr Garg and most certainly he will recover soon. God Bless!

Day 1377

Today is KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI

KANHAIYYA IN CAP... (Need more be said?)

Dilip Babani:
Arun-bhai toh Krishna Kanhaiyya hai, chamak raha hai... Basuri kahaan hai?

Meeting Day

Club secretary Jagmohan Papneja conducts the meeting

The long overdue and completely avoidable general body meeting of the Club finally materialized today alongwith loads of samosas and double-double chai. All the biggies including Srichand Arora, Jagmohan Papneja and Monthi Serrao were present. Decisions taken at the last meeting eight months back were recalled, the prospects of Club registration discussed, accounts and financials revealed... blah-blah.
Everything went tickety-boo and nobody had anything to complain about or add – except for a stray suggestion for starting the practice of sending a small bouquet of flowers to members' homes on the eve of their birthday as a goodwill gesture from the Club. The proposal was shot down and instead the general consensus was for a printed card with everybody’s signature appended -- purely for economic reasons. That’s also fine and everybody went home happy, secure in the knowledge that it will not be implemented.
Harish Wadhwa:
I am sure one decision will be implemented: It is to hold the AGM regularly with samosas and triple chai.

Independence Day 2014

It was a celebration – somber, yet cheerful. The national tricolor was there and so were the soul-stirring patriotic numbers playing in the background.Attendance was near full. By the time we were wrapping up the exercises, there was hardly any standing space outside the China Hut. The entire Garden had gathered to pay homage to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives so that we celebrate Independence Day today.
And then the ceremonies began. For the first time Shekhawat appeared military-style in crisp white shirt with a chestful of medals (from his Indian Navy days) and “reported for duty with two platoons” before flag-bearer Geeta Sardana. He presented her the tricolor with aplomb, clicked his heels and saluted smartly. Poor Geeta did not know which way to look. Then suddenly she raised herself to his height and amidst all-round applause, returned the salute!
Thereafter, it was Geeta-Geeta all the way. Like a female Pied Piper of Hamlyn, she led the two platoons (actually, “ladij-log” and “gents log”) round and round the Garden, raising slogans along the way – “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, “Vande Mataram”, ‘Inquilaab Zindabad”, “Jai Hind”… After one-and-half rounds, most of her valiant ‘soldiers’ ran out of slogans and/or breath and abandoned the platoons. (Many wondered aloud what “Inquilaab Zindabad” they were shouting about!) Geeta too gave up realizing she had become a rebel without a cause and eased into familiar territory – joining the rest outside the China Hut to sing “Jana Gana Mana”. But to her credit, not for once did she let go the national flag from her hand. She held on to it for dear life, despite the best efforts of Razia Khan and Mumtaz Jahan to snatch it from her. That's the spirit! Obviously, Shekhawat had the last laugh.
Jagmohan Papneja:
August 15 gives us the reason to celebrate our freedom and pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives for a cause. All members of Big Laaf and daily visitors to the Garden were imbued by the feelings of nationalism, solidarity and brotherhood.
Harish Wadhwa:
Vande Matram! But where were the pedas or the luddoos? I am convinced that recession (kadkee) has set in when I got Eclairs (on a lighter note please) only!

Pedas or Samosas

Jagmohan Papneja reads out the items on his agenda

Heated discussions on the menu for Independence Day

We have a long week-end ahead. Tomorrow is August 15, Independence Day. Saturday and Sunday follow. Then there’s Janam Ashtami on Monday, another public holiday. Taking advantage of the four back-to-back holidays, Santosh Tyagi and Mallika Kagzi among others are heading out of Mumbai with their families for an extended vacation. The weather is fine and any break from the routine should be exciting.
But what happens to the rest of us in the Garden?
Well, to keep us suitably engaged, Jagmohan Papneja today formally gave notice for the AGM (annual general body meeting) at China Hut on August 16, Saturday. This is a procedural requirement we must abide by and from the looks of it, everyone was in agreement with the agenda he read out this morning.
On the Independence Day celebrations, Srichand Arora briefed us on the drill to be followed tomorrow -- which is largely like last year’s (see post of August 15, 2013), except that Geeta Sardana would lead the march around the Garden this time. Arora would bring the tricolor from home, Arun would arrange for the music, Harish will get his amplifier, Bose will get the danda for the jhanda…
And now for the fun part: What will we eat?
Here are the many voices which constituted the main discussion this morning –
“We will have luddoos like last year.” “No, let’s get samosas for a change.” “We had samosas the other day, remember?" "So let’s settle for pedas then.” “Yes, pedas are fine and they come cheaper than luddoos and samosas!” “Let’s not talk money yaar…” “Why not? There’ll be outsiders and you cannot refuse anybody.” “But why do you want anything sweet early morning?” “Phaphda-jalebi is besht.” “Yes, phapda-jalebi is besht!” “But I don’t like phapda-jalebi.” “Then you decide.” “We will have samosas.” "No, better to have luddoos." “Do you know how much it will cost?” “We will have to provide for at least 50 people!” “Don’t talk money yaar…”
The inconclusive debate was finally brought to a head by Arora: “Let’s give everybody one-one Eclair. What's wrong with a toffee?” “Great idea, we’ll have toffee tomorrow!” Settled. Talk of an anti-climax!
Jagmohan Papneja:
Nearby, at Garden No 4, the flag hoisting ceremony by the Lokhandwala Residents' Association will be at 8:00 am. At the Celebration Club, it will be at 9:00 am. At both these places, the ceremony would be followed by a variety of delicious Indian snacks, including the items mentioned in this Blog. Entry is free and open to all.

Surprise Visit

Hari Naraiyani exercises seated on a chair

Hari Naraiyani gave us a pleasant surprise this morning. Showing up after more than a year, he marched into the Garden to announce, “You people might have forgotten me, but I'll keep returning. I shall hover around like your shadow!”
The exercises hadn’t started yet. Seeing him, people like Shekhawat, Santosh Tyagi and Sunita Jajodia converged around him to inquire about his health and welfare. “I am 83 now,” he informed. “I celebrated my 83rd birthday the day before. I get bouts of weakness; but for that I am perfectly fit and fine.

Kiran Makharia

Why, I'll be travelling to Amritsar next month!”
While Shekhawat got calculating how many years he was younger to Hari-bhai, others marveled at the way this octogenarian had maintained himself. The last we had seen of him was more than a year back when he had lost his wife. He was depressed then (naturally), unkempt and unshaven. Today he looked fresh like a lily, standing ramrod erect and walked confidently with a spring in his step.

Jagmohan Papneja wants to call a meeting on Saturday

What’s more, he insisted on taking part in all the exercises – just that he be allowed to be seated on a chair while flexing himself with us.
Another surprise ‘visitor’ was Kiran Makharia, who drew the attention of the ladies the moment she walked into the Garden. Monthi Serrao was almost sanguine that Kiran had come to announce her birthday treat for Saturday. (Hers is the last birthday of the month.) But to the infinite astonishment of all within hearing distance, Kiran refused pointblank: “You people broke my hand last year, remember? Why should I celebrate?”
True, Kiran had brought loads of luddoos last year on her birthday (ref: post of August 16, 2013) and the happy celebration was marred by a nasty fall that resulted in a fracture of her right wrist. It put her out of circulation for many months and she has not forgiven the Club since – even as Harish Wadhwa, Bhaswati Bose and Harbans Kaur had escorted her home that fateful morning. Clearly, she does not want to be reminded of it.
Jagmohan Papneja:
We, at Big Laaf, are never out of range of surprises. The visit of Hari-bhai and the reactions of Kiran are no surprise to us. This has become a common phenomenon for us.

Health Concerns

Jagmohan Papneja

Sitaram Hivarkar

With the monsoon receding, medical issues in the Club have started mounting. Linking the two would of course, be tenuous (so far as we are concerned), but when one after another members report sick and attendance drops, things do get worrisome.
For some time Sitaram Hivarkar has been coming late to the Garden because of “crippling pain” in both his legs which has turned worse during the monsoon. Ved Prakash Grover too walks with a pronounced limp nowadays, but he still manages to be punctual every morning – even as he might have to do part of the exercises seated. And Ruksana Khan has stopped coming altogether due to "ankle and heel" issues.
Jagmohan Papneja has also been under the weather for the past few days and only today, could he resume his exercises. Likewise, Nahid Khan is down with viral fever since last Saturday.

Nahid Khan

Razia Khan

Apparently everybody in her family has caught the bug and it would be some time before she shall return to the Garden. “My home has become a dispensary,” she said on phone, her voice sounding like a man’s.
There are many others, but no one as serious or critical as Ghasi Ram Garg (ref: post of August 9). For the past four days, he has been lying in coma at Kokilaben Hospital, following a brain hemorrhage. Tests are currently on and from what we understand the doctors have succeeded in bringing his BP down to normal. His condition is described as “stable”, but he is yet to regain consciousness.
Then there was Razia Khan turning up after a week with multiple perforations in both her arms. It seems her BP had shot up and her doctors decided that the best way to bring it down was to drain out some blood. So there she was this morning displaying the little white patches from where her blood had been drawn. The good news is that her BP is now stable.
Renu Babani:
Blame it on the weather, considering some days are humid and other days pleasant. However, let's be grateful for being alive. A positive attitude cures everything.
Jagmohan Papneja:
We have no control over the air we breathe. Air pollutants inhaled affect the system and we become victims. This is why I have stopped breathing exercises for some time.