Triumphant!

Srichand Arora announces the registration of BIG LAAF

After many a proverbial slip between the cup and the lip, Big Laaf has finally become a ‘registered’ body. Making this announcement today, a triumphant looking Srichand Arora informed that he (in his capacity as Club chairman) and accompanied by his three trusted lieutenants of Badmaash Company, called on the Charity Commissioner’s office yesterday. After prolonged negotiations and a war of nerves, they could finally obtain the requisite signatures and in effect, the government’s seal of approval. All that remains now is the formality of paying a fee of Rs57 before a registration certificate is issued to us.
Amid the round of applause that greeted this announcement, Yusuf Rassiwala stood up and offered to pay the Rs57 as a goodwill gesture on behalf of the Club.

Yusuf Rassiwala

“I would like to put in this seed money from my pocket,” he said, while congratulating Arora on his success. In turn, Arora offered to throw a “grand party” this Saturday. Further, it was decided by common consensus to have another celebration party “outside (the Garden)” with the Club’s funds the following weekend. For that moment though, Mallika Kagzi conjured a flask of hot tea and treated everyone to the home-made brew in celebration of the Club registration.
The celebrations are well-deserved. It brings closure to months of running from pillar to post at gaining recognition (and certain tax benefits) from the government.

Impromptu tea treat from Mallika Kagzi

Apart from being kept on tenterhooks, we had to deal with considerable misinformation, conflicting instructions and red-tapism (resulting in needless revising and re-revising of application papers) to establish our bona fides. At one stage, we had to even prove that we were not a recreation club engaged in gambling or any such nefarious activity. Finally, when we were compelled to settle for a misleading suffix like “foundation” to our Club, we decided to dig in our heels. Yesterday’s exercise was essentially to have our way in being recognized as just BIG LAAF. Period.
In being registered thus, we now have a unique platform to branch into several activities that could multiply our revenue streams in the long run. More than that, Big Laaf could well be developed into a brand without the appendage of a Club/ Association/ Society should we choose to. In other words, we are now owners of a priceless property that can be monetized in a dozen different ways for common good. This is an opportunity that comes rarely to any Club anywhere. Hence all the partying and celebrations.
Harish Wadhwa:
* Yusuf-bhai can't get away with Rs57 only. He is our President Emeritus. We want him to treat us with something more -- maybe some songs of Hemant Kumar to begin with. I will surely come when he agrees to sing for us.
* The chai fever is getting contagious. Maybe it is time the membership of Badmaash Company is extended to others in the Garden. I am seeing that since the time I became irregular (due to my office schedule), there are more and more parties being held. Where were all these, when I was more regular? Very bad!!!
* Tota-colour T-shirt popularity is spreading on Wednesdays. I can see some more people wearing it besides the badmaashes -- Bhaswati-ji, Yusuf-bhai, Gupta-ji... Copy cats!
Jagmohan Papneja:
The news of the registration has made this a great day for the Club. S/Shri Srichand Arora (captain of the team), Derek Bose, Harish Wadhwa and Arun Patil have made this day solely theirs. You have achieved a milestone. This is the result of your dedicated efforts and strenuous work. All that has finally paid off. We are proud of you all. Thanks for this great achievement!