June Returns

Fehmida Khan celebrates Eid with sheer-korma and poha

Shekhawat celebrates with dal-baati choorma and biscuits

The June showers are back, coincidentally, after exactly a month. The peculiarity of this rainfall is that it starts regularly around 6:00 in the morning – about the time we would be getting ready to set out for the Garden. For the next one-and-half hours or so, it would pour non-stop and then, just as the exercises get over, normalcy returns. Effectively, it should seem as though nature has got into serious conspiracy to bring down attendance in the Garden during the monsoon months.
Yet, today we had a full house. We started with four clappers only and the number gradually ballooned to 15. By the time we were wrapping up, it had hit 23. And still many were coming in, clearly with no intention to exercise. While a vicious murmur ran through the group, Shekhawat blurted out: “Why are people who are not supposed to come, showing up today?”
“The aroma of sheer korma has reached them,” Fahmida Khan replied sarcastically, referring to the Eid treat she had planned after the exercises.
“No, they have come after getting the smell of dal-baati churma,” said Shekhawat about the treat he too was about to give. Since he had got it all packed in neat little green bags, he was naturally concerned about running out of stock. With so many unwelcome late latifs, his plans had gone for a toss.
This raises a pertinent question, often voiced among the regulars in the Club. In an exercise session of just about 40 minutes, turning up late by five or ten minutes can be overlooked. Even a delay of 15 minutes is tolerable. But beyond 20 minutes and that too habitually, is vulgar. And here we are having some worthies who have no qualms showing up beyond half an hour after the exercises have started – in fact, even five minutes before closing time!
It just goes to prove that they are NOT interested in the exercises. Then why at all take the trouble of coming?
Bihari Milwani:
All are interested in exercises. It is just a question of type of exercise -- physical exercise or eating exercise!
Kiran Prakash:
Everybody has a personal agenda. Some come to exercise, some come to entertain others, some come to get entertained. Some noble souls come to feed people. Some come just to meet people. But the common objective is to eat, drink and make merry.
Anonymous:
I fully agree with the blog. What has not been said is that if you are not a regular, please do not come at the end just to eat. It embarrasses the host who wanted to share some eats with those who come regularly and had not thought that people could join even after prayers. You people must have some norms so that the hosts are not embarrassed. It must be quite painful for them. Kudos to the blog for raising such issues.
Srichand Arora:
I agree with the thoughts of this anonymous writer. I request all members to report for the exercises in time. Being late by 10 to 15 minutes can be tolerated -- but NOT MORE. My suggestion is to punish late-comers by ignoring them without even offering the foodies. Let them realise that regular late-coming is not tolerable. Moreover, how these late-comers "smell out" the foodies is beyond my understanding. Whenever we have some treat, suddenly attendance doubles. People should come to the Garden for the laughter and exercises, not just for food. Otherwise they should better go to a langar where free food is available daily instead of coming to the Garden. I am really sorry to write these lines but all my requests in the last couple of months for members to be regular and punctual have fallen into deaf ears.