Spirit of Giving

Swati Punjabi distributes chocolates

Swati Punjabi distributed chocolates this morning – for no particular reason. Her daughter, Trupti had apparently sent them from Virginia, USA where she is settled. “She also sent instructions to distribute the chocolates only among Big Laaf members,” Swati announced.
None of us remember having met Trupti; but we took Swati’s word for the thoughtful treat. Even if it were not to be true, what mattered was her eagerness to share the goodies with us. This is exactly what Mallika Kagzi and Banoo Apa have been doing for long. In the same manner Santosh Tyagi does not have to make kanji for us, but she does so without fail whenever carrots and beetroot are in season. Ditto for Harbans Kaur, with her delectable aate-ka-halwa/ karha parshad.

Bhaswati Bose

Monthi Serrao’s standing instructions for her globe-trotting daughter, Ravina is to “get something for the Club” from wherever she goes.
These are just a few examples to illustrate the spirit of giving that has come to embody the Club. We do not wait for an occasion – a birthday or anniversary to celebrate happiness. And then there are no strings attached here -- no comparing, no compulsion, no competition, no expectation. If anything, behind every act of ‘generosity’ is a silent reaffirmation of how fond we have become of one another over the years.
The real test of bonding is however, in times of adversity. We have been witnessing this since Bapu Rane’s time, through Shekhawat’s heart surgery, during Arun Patil’s amputation… when all members get together as one. Today, Bhaswati Bose is away with her ailing mother in Dibrugarh and here, every single member is just as concerned. Santosh even called up the Garden from home to enquire this morning. A similar situation occurred when Bhaswati’s husband was hospitalized a few days back.
Now, none of this is lip service. None of it is pretentious. In fact, everybody knows that there is no room in the Club for anything phony, petty or negative. And that is what makes Big Laaf so unique and beautiful!
Lt Col Angad Singh from Mohali:
It is not the sweets or chocolates or kanji that matters. The spirit with which each member shares some 'sweet' from the sweetness of his/ her heart is more relevant. This is what wins the hearts of all and binds everyone with each other. That is the real reason for the thriving of the Club.
Harish Wadhwa:
I pray for the good health of Bhaswati-ji's mom in Dibrugarh. God bless her with early recovery and free her from all pain and suffering.