‘Redevelopment’

Santosh Tyagi

Razia Khan

The word ‘redevelopment’ holds special meaning for Mumbai. Elsewhere it could mean repair or renovation, makeover, rebuilding, facelift, reconstruction, even remodeling… But here, the moment you say redevelopment, you conjure images of old, decrepit buildings crashing to the ground and spanking new structures rising out of dust and taking their place.
Today, Razia Khan added another interpretation to the word. Santosh Tyagi had come in behaving unusually quiet and crestfallen and was keeping to herself in the China Hut. Out of concern, people stopped by to ask if all was well with her -- more so, because she had not been coming regularly to the Garden of late. Santosh explained she was fine, but for a painful dental job which required extraction of her front teeth.
Razia was quietly watching from a distance, not quite liking Santosh having to repeat the same lines again and again, every time someone stopped to inquire about her health. Santosh too was getting irritated.

Bijoy Gupta hosted a samosa-pao treat for unknown reasons

After a point, Razia lost her patience and came up with a gem. Redevelopment. “Can’t you understand Santosh-ji is going for redevelopment?” she declared without elaborating.
Whether or not this bizarre analogy of a human being with buildings made any sense, everybody related to it perfectly. It became the buzzword of the morning and Santosh was spared any further inquisition.
The very mention of Santosh's 'redevelopment' drew instant guffaws, nobody quite realising that all of us are at that critical age requiring some treatment or the other. Most have blood sugar, cholestrol and heart issues, Arun Patil even getting his diabetic foot removed recently. Many have problematic knees and some like Kiran Arora and Harbans Kaur went for knee replacement surgeries. Khatoon Baig, Bhaswati Bose, Monthi Serrao and many others move around with back support and brace belts while Prakash Motwani and Kajal Babani require timely attention for bronchial issues. Shekhawat underwent a by-pass surgery two years back, but it (the ‘plastic heart’ as Bijoy Gupta presumes) hasn’t reduced his medical concerns. With advancing age and natural wear and tear, there can be no escaping this 'redevelopment' in our lives.
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd) from Mohali:
New phraseology is being coined by members. This is because of their lively attitude and combined efforts. It is a very healthy sign. Keep going... and keep laughing.