Belated Celebrations

Happy Birthday Najma Sayeed

Najma Sayeed celebrated her birthday today in absentia. She is in poor health and does not come to the Garden these days. On her birthday last Saturday, she had sent us a box of sweets with her neighbor, Khatoon Baig.

Khatoon Baig celebrates Teachers Day

But since we were in mourning (over Kishor Babani’s untimely demise) the treat was deferred by two days. We wish her the very best on the occasion and look forward to seeing her back for the exercises, hale and hearty.
Khatoon also wanted to treat us on Saturday, but for the same reason kept the celebration in abeyance. September 5 was Teacher’s Day. Today, the former high school teacher distributed kaju barfi to a round of applause and we even composed a song for her. A few mischievous old men went up to touch her feet and seek her blessings, the way kids do in school. It was all in good humour and Khatoon, though initially confused, took it sportingly.
Yet another reason to rejoice this morning was Arun Patil being able to walk into the Garden without support – not even crutches. Ved Prakash Grover was the first to notice this and when Santosh Tyagi joined him in congratulation, we realized that Arun was relying entirely on his prosthetic foot.

Birthday sweets from Najma

This was the first time since his amputation last April that he looked entirely self-reliant and in control.

Dilip Babani (centre) puts up a brave front

Still, we advised him not to take chances yet and move around with a walking stick in hand, just in case.
Despite the good cheer, Kishor Babani’s shadow hung heavy over the Garden through the morning. Time and again, his name cropped up during the exercises. As we were about to disperse, Dilip Babani met us at the gate. He was in grief no doubt, but managed to put up a brave front, acknowledging the condolences of well wishers with a look of resignation. After all, it is not easy to get over the loss of one who has been much more than an elder brother to him.
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd) from Mohali:
It is nice to see Arun Patil walking without support. Initially one has to be careful, but gradually one builds the confidence to walk easily. Sheer determination and continuous effort will enable Arun to walk comfortably. Good luck to him.
Srichand Arora:
Very good news for all of us at Big Laaf: Mr Raghuvir Shekhawat has won the best TV writer award of 2015 from ITA (Indian Television Academy)). Congratulations, dear Raghuvir. May God bless you.