Opting Out?

Shekhawat wants to go but cannot go

The South India trip (November 24 to December 3, 2015) has hit a roadblock. With just about a week to go, the group leader, Hari Singh Shekhawat wants to opt out. He says his wife is not in good health (ref post of October 29) and would be unable to undertake “such a long and arduous trip”. And since she cannot go, he cannot go.
“I know the problems she is suffering from,” he said. “There is no point coaxing and cajoling her (to join) because it will only worsen her condition and inconvenience the whole group. So I’d suggest you people manage on your own this time.

Mohankanwar Shekhawat

Just cancel the bookings in our names and get the refunds.”
Mrs Mohankanwar Shekhawat had been coming to the Garden every morning the whole of last week. After taking a few rounds on the walking track she would join us for the exercises and just before the second laughter round, she’d leave for home. This was her daily routine. So meticulous was she about it that we assumed the worst is over with her and that by November 24, she would be fully fit and fine, raring to go on the trip.
“You don’t need to jump to conclusions so early,” advised Kiran Prakash. “There’s still a week left. Who knows she’d recover in the next few days and make it? Just give her a little time.”
Swati Punjabi too was against Shekhawat cancelling his bookings. “Assuming that your wife, in a worst-case scenario, is unable to go on the trip, cancel her bookings only. Why must you cancel your bookings also? The cancellation charges are huge. Why suffer a big loss?”
The issue is clearly not so much about losing money as it is about a sense of insecurity. For all his exaggerated machismo and derring-do in the Garden, Shekhawat is actually deeply dependent on his wife for every step he takes. She is the one who calls the shots and takes care of what he eats and when, the medicines he must take, how much water he is allowed, his resting hours, etc. Without her by his side on the trip, he would be like a babe in the woods!
And that is how things ought to be.
Bihari Milwani:
Pray to God from the bottom of your heart for the speedy recovery of Mrs Shekhawat so that she can join the trip and keep everyone in a cheerful mood.