New Merger

Jagmohan Papneja conducts the SGM at Chhota Kashmir

The ‘yoga group’ of the Garden today stands fully integrated with Big Laaf as one, big family. At the Special General Body Meeting (SGM) of the Club held at Chhota Kashmir, it was resolved that yoga members would henceforth be free to take part in all our meetings and laughter exercises just as Big Laaf members have been participating in the yoga sessions all along. The resolution comes into force with retrospective effect and was passed unanimously.
This merger, which marks a new chapter in Club history, seeks to not only dissolve an artificial barrier that has existed between our two groups but also aims at bolstering the numerical strength and in effect, the subscription base of Big Laaf. No distinction now exists between members in terms of registration, subscription fees, rights and duties, code of conduct and so on.

Angad Singh wins Housie

However, in the course of an earlier discussion, it was decided that henceforth registration fees for new admissions would be hiked to Rs1,000 (from Rs300 at present), though monthly subscriptions shall remain a uniform Rs50 per month payable annually in April.

Nahid Khan had brought her grand-daughter

These figures will be subject to review from time to time by the managing committee.
Furthermore, Monthi Serrao submitted that the spouses of existing members should automatically be co-opted as members of the Club with full rights, subject to their payment of monthly subscriptions. Registration fees would however, be waived off for them as a special case.

Mallika Kagzi serves lunch

The proposal met with instant approval, but could not be passed because Jagmohan Papneja (secretary) had left the meeting by then. He was visibly under the weather and together with Shekhawat (who was also unwell with breathlessness) had left the venue after the customary ‘vote of thanks’.
The meeting was convened mainly to apprise members on the implications of the registration of Big Laaf (ref post of November 15) and to explore various means and measures of taking the Club forward.

The Aroras and Rassiwalas are all at sea!

Two revenue-generating options were discussed and approved: one, conducting Housie sessions regularly and saving a portion of the proceeds like what other Clubs do; and two, organizing periodic out-of-station excursions (in which, Shekhawat has already acquired a level of expertise) with a hugely differential pricing (but less than market rates) for outsiders. The suggestion of hosting hasya-kavi sammelans and such entertainment programmes on a commercial basis however, met with lukewarm response because of impracticality issues.
In between Mallika Kagzi did what we had all feared by providing lunch to all – mutton and chicken keema, meat cutlets, spicy potato curry for the vegans, mounds of bread pao and flavored tea. Srichand and Kiran Arora brought halwa, Banoo Khan provided the soft drinks and besan luddoos and with endless rounds of biscuits and munchies from all corners, what more could we ask for? The ‘lunch money’ Shekhawat had collected became redundant and was returned on the spot. Yes, there were men-vs-women antakshari sessions, two entertaining rounds of Housie, boating at the Aarey Boat Club, more to eat and drink… all in a weather that was absolutely perfect for a picnic. We even had a spell of light drizzle. The pictures speak for themselves.
Harish Wadhwa:
* These pics are enough to make anyone jealous and sorry for missing the opportunity. It appears that this turned out to be one of the most enjoyable and pleasurable local picnics. Have a good time folks. This is what life is all about. I truly missed the opportunity due to my commitments.
* Arora-ji and Yusuf-bhai seem to be really enjoying the boat ride. The question is who was pedaling the boat?
(Answer: The one who didn't turn up the next day for the exercises!)
Wrong. The next day is Sunday! --Big Laaf