Trivial Timepass

Struck by a fierce morning squall

Arun Patil and Harvinder Jauhar became the butt of jokes this morning when a sudden squall followed by fierce thundershower forced us into the open shed midway through the exercises. Everyone managed to get in, except the two. Some said they could have gone to the toilet. A few guessed that they would be taking shelter in the China Hut. But when they did not show up after some time, Nahid Khan got worried.
“Where could they be hiding?” she wondered. “Or have they just dissolved in the rainwater?”
That has always been a standard line from Nahid in these situations. But Shekhawat was to top that today when he corrected her. “Hawaa mein uddh gaye dono,” he declared. “They must have gone with the wind!”
Such wisecracks generate some mirth and have saved us from turning zombies while exercising.

Yusuf Rassiwala

But how would anyone explain certain kinks like having to applaud to “Very Good” as a wrap-up on every session. Yusuf Rassiwala brought about a variation with the expression ‘Swasth Raho, Vyasth Raho, Hanste Raho!’ (Be Healthy, Stay Busy and Keep Laughing).

The ill-fated neem tree

It was a well-meaning slogan, but many became averse to it and would rather, like Sunita Jajodia say "Very Good” or even "Good Morning". So now a consensus has been struck when, in Yusuf’s presence we would clap to “Swasth Raho” and behind his back, revert to the “Very Good” – as though, good riddance, he isn’t around!
The latest involves Ram Shankar Shukla.

Ram Shankar Shukla

After the fainting incident on August 23 (see post), we have been over-concerned about him and a chair is kept ready by his side when he exercises. Much as he maintains that he is now in good shape and does not require special attention, there are some who insist that he must sit on the chair and exercise. Ruksana Khan went to the extent of telling him, “Whenever you stand, you give us tension. So please stay seated!”
Of course, Shekhawat is still being blamed squarely for causing him to faint and Shukla has been unable to provide any other explanation yet. So Shekhawat now directs his attention, not at any human, but to a neem tree. “Neem ke pedh, sit down!” is his clarion call every morning. Believe it or not, the damn tree has started to shrivel. As Monthi Serrao and Jagmohan Papneja point out, trees are supposed to sprout fresh green leaves during the monsoons. But this is one tree that is sprouting dry twigs at the top!
Such is the power of the human tongue.