Depleted Numbers

Arora conducts the exercises today

As we took our places for the exercises this morning, nearly half of Big Laaf were winging their way on the first leg of the southern tour (November 24 to December 3) to Bangalore. They took off at around 6:15 a.m. in two batches – one by Air India and the other by IndiGo – ten minutes apart from one another. Unsurprisingly, attendance at the Garden crashed from 30-plus to just about 17 members today – 11 men and six women.
“Where have the other ladies gone?”

Gupta takes Shekhawat's call

complained Bijoy Gupta, who arrived before-time, clearly intending to appropriate Shekhawat’s place in the circle. Barring Mallika Kagzi, he was not on familiar terms with any of the six ladies present. Even Razia Khan had apparently ditched him today.
“What is your problem?” egged Mohar Singh. “You are free to take Shekhawat’s place today, for the next 10 days. We will even recognize you as President of the Club till he returns.”
“Forget it,” Gupta snapped back. “I don’t want any false recognition…”
As is well known, Gupta has always coveted Shekhawat’s position – evidently, in the belief that it would beget him the same level of respect and popularity. At one point, he even promised a handsome donation to the Club, provided the latter resigned and made way for him as Club president. But that was not to be.
Today Gupta saw his chance at playing the preening peacock -- to the extent he came dressed to kill, in matching orange t-shirt, keds and red socks. Let alone an appreciative audience, there was no audience at all. He became so crestfallen that for much of the time he sulked in silence – even refusing to head the rail-gaadi round.
Ironically, the only time Gupta’s face brightened up was when Shekhawat called him around 8:00 -- just as our exercises were getting over. He informed that the group had landed safely in Bangalore.
Bihari Milwani:
Gangaram kanwara rain gaya!