Cosmopolitan Party II

Vinod Sehgal (in striped tee) gets the Garden together

Close on the heels of the ‘Cosmopolitan Party’ the day before yesterday, the Garden was treated to tea and sandwiches this morning, courtesy Payal and Vinod Sehgal. The inspiration for today’s do was clearly Navin Shah, the host of Saturday's big bash (ref post).
Such largesse in these me-mine-myself times can only mean one of two things – genuine warmth and sense of kinship at bringing together an otherwise disparate community of individuals onto a common platform; or else, recognition of a notoriously gluttonous group that cannot do without having something to eat and/or drink after the exercises.
Either way this has created some confusion, particularly among newer members who are yet to figure out the purpose of meeting every morning in the Garden – whether it is to eat, or exercise or both. “You mean, you had a party on Saturday, and today there’s another one!”

Mallika presents Yusuf a rose

exclaimed Siba Prasad Maitra, who obviously missed Navin Shah’s chai-idli party on March 7.
For Vinod Sehgal though, today’s treat was no big deal. “I do this regularly every week-end in the other Garden (No 2),” he declared. “What matters is the place you make in your heart for others – to express your love and affection for all. There is no hidden agenda in this.

Jagmohan Papneja

I love you people and there is no better way I can express this feeling. Thank you for being part of my happiness.”
In another unusual expression of love and fellow-feeling, Mallika Kagzi offered a rose to everyone who showed up for the exercises today. Some men mistook it as a Valentine gesture and checked the date with her. Some women snidely commented that she had “started her campaign” for the next Woman of the Year award. But Mallika iterated that she was prompted by “feelings from the heart” and could not be bothered by dates and awards. The best part though, was the way some members, who did not have buttonholes to their tops or T-shirts, displayed their roses with pride. Jagmohan Papneja (pictured above) was one prime example.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Vinod-ji, thank you so much for a fantastic day. Everything was perfect. The serving of snacks, especially sandwiches and tea, was superb. We had a memorable time. We enjoyed meeting with you and bhabhi Payal.
Srichand Arora:
Wow Vinod-ji, tussi great ho yaara! Such a nice get-together was possible only because of you. God bless you and your family.
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
Mr and Mrs Vinod Sehgal's treat was welcome in right earnest. Everyone liked it. It was nice of Mallika Kagzi to present flowers to all members. However, it goes to credit of Mr Papneja to display the flower in an innovative manner. Keep it up Papneja-ji.