‘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.