Where Are They?

Najma Sayeed

Sheela Mirani

Sadanand Pawar

Ever since we put a cap of 50 on membership of Big Laaf, attendance for the daily exercises has come under sharp scrutiny. Several members, it would appear, exist only for the record and they couldn’t really be bothered one way or the other about the Club.
A few others, by force of personal circumstances cannot physically be present at the Garden much as they would like to. And then there are those who deign to make an appearance once in a blue moon as though they are doing us all a favour.

Ajit Choudhary announces son Akshat's prize-winning feat

They are chronic late-comers least interested in personal fitness or Club welfare and yet, for some mysterious reason are hell-bent on retaining their membership.
These are broadly the three categories of absentee members emerging while we enter the second half of the financial year 2015-16. Significantly they account for 40 per cent of listed members, which explains why we are left with a daily headcount of 30 out of 50 on an average, at the best of times.
The question that assumes relevance now is what are we to do with those wanting to be members but cannot be accommodated because of the ceiling on membership.
As president, Srichand Arora had brought this up in view of the freshers being typically more regular than most -- not to mention, more punctual and proactive than the old timers. Yet, perforce they are relegated to a so-called 'Waiting List' (see adjacent panel). The worst part is that they will have to hang on there till such time we find a way to get rid of the existing (40%) deadwood. And this is possible only when their membership would run out, i.e. next March – unless of course, someone has a better idea.
Bihari Milwani:
Announce a grand party in advance and everyone will be present!
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd) from Mohali:
Every organisation has sleeping partners. Let them also feel happy and become lively whenever they feel so. Hum bhi kabhi jawan the! Let the young ones come forth briskly so that the old timers feel young and relaxed in their company.