Sealed and Delivered

Shekhawat and Yusuf Rassiwala unfurl the banner to be put up on the tour bus

For the third day running, the South India tour (November 24 to December 3) dominated all proceedings of the Club. Nothing else seemed to matter – not even the exercises, the attendance, eats and drinks,

Yusuf Rassiwala reads out details of tour programme

the Chinese girls, saalis… The focus has almost entirely and exclusively been on what would be the longest tour from the Club (and for the first time) covering three major Indian states – Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Finally, all was signed, sealed and delivered this morning with Shekhawat convening a meeting of the 32 members of the tour group and distributing copies of the Travel Plan – itinerary, flight and train bookings, details of hotel stay at various places, etc. Yusuf Rassiwala read out the salient features of the tour programme while Monthi Serrao and Bhaswati Bose were there to address all queries and clarifications from the group members.
As things stand, these people are scheduled to leave for Bangalore by an early morning flight on Tuesday, November 24 and during the day, catch up with some of the city's sights such as Lal Bagh and Cubbon Park. (They would be in Bangalore again on November 29 before leaving for Hyderabad the next evening.) Meanwhile, they would take in Srirangapatnam enroute Mysore on November 25 and after two days

Mallika celebrates grandson Farhad's birthday

Nahid Siddiqui treats us to Mahabaleshwar chikkis

of Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills, Bandipur Forests, Rose Garden, etc., land in Ooty by road on November 27 to cool their heels (and heads) in sub-10 degree temperature.
After two days of chilling out in all kinds of unpronounceable parks, lakes and waterfalls, they’d get started again on November 29 by road for Bangalore and onwards by train (Rajdhani) to reach Hyderabad on December 1. Apart from covering Charminar, Salarjung Museum, Golconda Fort and such other tourist attractions, the group would spend a day at Ramoji Film City on December 2. This is being pitched as a "major highlight" of the ten-day expedition. And on December 3, those still in one piece, shall take the first available flight back home.
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd) from Mohali:
It is quite encouraging that the senior citizens are going on a long excursion. This shows the effect of the Big Laaf Club. The morning exercises have made the members not only active but fit as well. It is a healthy effect to be enjoyed by everyone. Good luck and bon voyage.