Damage Control

Meeting in progress

Today must have been the coldest day of the season. Even those hailing from the north, for whom winter in Mumbai has always been a joke, came wrapped tight in woolens. Shekhawat too came heavily padded up, but could not take the chill beyond a point and rushed home, abandoning the yoga session. Monthi Serrao, as indeed many others, simply did not show up. For all we know, the morning temperature would have dipped well below 10 degrees, something we are not accustomed to.
In all this, Bihari Milwani could get our energy levels soaring with a sumptuous treat of bitter-sweet dark chocolates. It was his birthday today. And in keeping with Big Laaf tradition, we cheered and raised an extra laugh for our ‘Baanke Bihari’, wishing him many happy returns of the day. Tara Chand Seth presented him with a personalised birthday calendar on behalf of the Club.
However, the highlight of the morning was an impromptu meeting convened by Kiran Prakash in order to salvage the Annual Day function scheduled for January 16. It was a last ditch attempt at damage control following a shocker from Razia Khan last evening: “My brother is coming from the USA in the first week of January. So I won’t be able to give sufficient time to the program.

Tara Chand presents birthday calender

Birthday treat from Bihari Milwani

I will have to be with him most of the time. So I request you to please give this responsibility to someone else... I won’t be able to organize the program the way it should be. So I will be very grateful if someone who is more suitable and capable takes this responsibility. I am extremely sorry about this. Next time I will be there, but for now, please excuse me.”
The SMS left Prakash with little option but to take the bull by its horns and himself get everyone motivated for the programme, rather than depend on anyone. And what a fruitful meeting that was! Razia was also present and seeing the enthusiasm of all present, she drew a chair next to Prakash and guided the course of discussions. If only this was done earlier, we would not have lost a lot of valuable time.
Kiran Prakash:
Razia always took a very active part in all the club activities and this time too, wanted to organise the Annual function. However, she is at a crossroad between club commitment and family. I sincerely thank her for taking the lead today. I also thank all members -- especially Banoo Apa, Mumtaz, Mrs Singh, Mallika, Gita, Bhaswati, Qadir, Naseem, Nahid Khan, Swati, Fehmida‎, Rekha, Arun and Bose Babu for their active participation in today's meeting.