Day 1889

Pic of the Week

THE LOINS HAVE BEGUN ROARRRRING AGAIN!

Rajasthan Tiger vs Bengal Tiger, and the result is... a tie! --Bihari Milwani

For what they are fighting -- these two lions? --Dilip Babani

Ha Ha Ha... This is actually a Rajasthan Royal lion vs a Kolkata Night Rider lion. But aren't Rajasthan Royals already disqualified? --Bhaswati Bose

Beating About Bush

Brainstorming over the next picnic

And everybody remains confused as ever

Looks like we have run out of options for a one-day picnic. So when Santosh Tyagi and Harbans Kaur today came up with the idea, Shekhawat was hard-pressed at identifying a suitable spot, except repeating the same tried-and-tested places we have already been to – Chhota Kashmir, Royal Hills, Silent Valley resort, etc.
Of these, a repeat trip to Royal Hills found majority support – if only for the sumptuous food on offer – until Dilip Babani suggested Alibaug. That sounded more like a new destination and a welcome diversion, but nobody was quite sure about the travel time by road. Both Kiran Prakash and Arun Patil said that it should be a minimum four-hour journey each way, which would leave us very little time to soak up the sights and sounds of the picturesque beach resort – unless of course, we extend our visit by an overnight stay. In other words, what was being proposed was a two-day out-station picnic.
That being the case, the long-pending plan of going to Matheran was revived. It would also entail an overnight stay and like Alibaug, would be off the Club’s beaten track. Besides, two years back, Arun and Srichand Arora had been deputed by the Club to make a recce of the hill station and work out the logistics. Nothing however, came of it.
The proposal found instant acceptance, even as there were issues of booking the hotel in advance and keeping the picnic bus in waiting at Neral, etc. all of which would doubtless hike up costs. And it did not look as though we would stand to benefit by way of bulk bookings. After all, the talk was to go in February – during peak tourist season. It would therefore make more sense to reserve Matheran for off-season time, maybe later in the year.
That was only to get us back to square one – to a local, one-day picnic. And so round and round the discussions went with no clear consensus in sight.
Kiran Prakash:
Matheran is an excellent choice. The weather at the mini hills will just be ideal to enjoy the overnight picnic. Incidentally, February is not the peak season. We can get a good discount if we plan to go on weekdays. Some hotels provide transportation from Mumbai to Matheran and back on additional payment.

Getting Beaten

Exercises in progress

Now that the so-called ‘Chinese exercises’ have been integrated into our regular regimen, it turns out that the total duration of our daily routine in the Garden has gone up to an hour. We start on the dot of seven with 15 minutes of full-throated laughter, followed by 20 to 25 minutes of free-hand exercises. Then comes another round of laughter of 10 minutes duration and finally, the ‘Chinese exercises’ lasting 15 full minutes. Thereafter, at 8:00 a.m., some members move away to join the Yoga Group in the China Hut.
Of all these, what seems to be gaining maximum popularity is what has come to be known as the ‘maar peet’ round of the Chinese exercises. There are many among us who land in the Garden specifically to join the human train (see photo of January 18 post) only to end up being beaten black and blue on their backs.

Angad Singh shows how it is to be done

These brave, self-confessed masochists include Siba Prasad Maitra, Yusuf Rassiwala, Pushpa Gupta, Mohar Singh and Dilip Babani, among others.
According to them, if it were not for this mindless maar-peet they would scarcely have a reason to drop by in the Garden.

Swati Punjabi: Smiling Assassin

“It leaves you hugely refreshed,” reiterates Maitra. After all, how (and where) else do you get to be whacked mercilessly 36 + 36 times on your back every morning? The idea though is to activate the blocked energy nodes as well as improve blood flow on the most unreachable part of your body, i.e. the back.
A fallout of this atrocity is that certain individuals have acquired the reputation of being super 'hard hitters'. Ved Prakash Grover is one. He starts slow, but progressively builds up momentum till his pummeling and hammering becomes unbearable. Yusuf R is another, but the impact of his blows is uniform -- rapid, forceful and unapologetic. Kiran Prakash is no less vigorous and relentless and Mohar Singh is totally indiscriminate -- a real sadist.
But the ultimate is Swati Punjabi, who virtually declares war on the back that faces her in the line-up. She jumps and thumps, wallops, punches, slaps, batters, bombards... like there's no tomorrow. If she could, she’d possibly climb piggy-back on her poor victim. She verily deserves to be crowned ‘Queen of Hitters’.
Kiran Prakash:
Queen of Hitters or Maar-Peet ki Rani, whatever she likes, Swati Punjabi deserves to be one.
Lt Col Angad Singh:
Everyone enjoys the so-called maar peet and no one feels hurt. Many of our colleagues are senior citizens and need to remain fit and active - both mentally and physically. These exercises serve both the purposes and are a preventive measure in keeping the dreaded Alzheimer away. One should follow the tit bits and enjoy them.
Swati Punjabi:
I like my new name - Queen of Hitters. Maar Peet ki Rani!
Kiran Prakash adds:
Swati, we are honoured. We will further be delighted if you choose one of the titles so that we can formally crown you.

Constrained

Monthi Serrao (l) collects pending bills

Being restricted to enclosed spaces shuts the mind.
The natural joi de vivre and youthful exuberance that comes with exercising out in the open was lost as we had to confine ourselves yet again (previous post) in the shed next to the China Hut.
The shamiana in the Garden had gone, but what remained was yesterday's leftover food littered about, besides unspeakable trash. When we arrived at 7:00 a.m., it was stinking to high hell, but the crows were having a good feast. Everyone felt it better not to disturb their breakfast.
Inside the shed we went through our motions dutifully, in silence – as though on auto-pilot. Srichand Arora took to the middle, but he was off-color like most others. Shekhawat was nursing an aching leg (probably the outcome of his recent surgery) that kept him seated for much of the time. He was up on his feet for the train round, but again, this was more formality than fun.
On normal days, we usually have a post-exercise session of fooling about and shooting the breeze with Mallika Kagzi in the centre playing prima donna. For a number of people, particularly late-comers, this is the main incentive of coming to the Garden. Today, for some reason, she too was quiet and sat through most of the exercises. Strangely, even the music on Arun Patil's player sounded off-tune.
In the end, it was up to Santosh Tyagi to lighten the air with her stock of jokes. Monthi Serrao (Big Laaf treasurer) took the opportunity to update her accounts by collecting pending bills and vouchers from defaulters. Boring job, but in fact, the only meaningful activity in the morning!
Bihari Milwani:
There is always a lull before the war. Tomorrow we should gain lost ground.

In Exile

Exercises continue in the shed

We were refugees in our own land. Some people had occupied our old stomping ground in the Garden and erected a huge shamiana around it, leaving us with little option but to seek shelter in the medical shed (adjacent to the China Hut) for our exercises.
Dark and claustrophobic as it felt, this eventually was to prove a blessing in disguise. For it was inordinately cold and windy today morning. Worse still, the Garden was soaked in so much dew that it looked like it had rained all night.
“The cold wave has struck again,” said Shekhawat as he came in, huddled in his brown padded jacket.
For those who were not so well-equipped, the covered shed provided a shield from the freeze outside. In fact, many suggested that rather than be exposed to the early morning chill every day we might as well appropriate the space in the shed for the rest of the winter.
Meanwhile, Mallika Kagzi was tickled pink when told she could be arrested for posing in the Indian tricolor yesterday, as part of our Republic Day celebrations. She was clicked with the flag stylishly draped around her shoulders and pulling off a perfect salute.

Shekhawat teases Mallika

Tara Chand (c) leaves for Delhi

(The photograph is deliberately withheld lest it be misconstrued as violating the Flag Code of 2002.)
Mallika, in all innocence, could scarcely be concerned about the legal implications, much as we tried our best to put the fear in her that she could be put behind bars for seven years for commiting the ‘offence’. Shekhawat teased her as usual, saying the “draped flag must not reach below the waist under any circumstances”. And here she bragged like a child that she had worn the flag from top to bottom! For the record though, no offence was committed yesterday under the Flag Code or Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act of 1971, as amended to date. The photograph, in any case, was deleted on the spot.

Republic Day – 2016

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM IN CHORUS WITH TEJA SINGH IN MIDDLE HOLDING ALOFT THE TRICOLOR

Dilip Babani distributes luddoos

Mumtaz Jahan leads the first leg of the march 

The republic turned a year older today. The nation remained young though. And we remained still younger, as this photo montage reveals.
Harish Wadhwa brought the national flag and as usual, provided the musical accompaniment with an assortment of soul-stirring patriotic songs.

Hot-hot tea from Mallika Kagzi

Shekhawat smartly executes a military salute

Dilip Babani brought the luddoos to feed the whole Garden and the Chinese ta’i chi girls. Mallika Kagzi brought hot-hot tea from home and we all joyfully sang the national anthem with Sardar Teja Singh Bhambra in the middle, proudly holding aloft the tricolor.

Banoo Apa shakes a leg

Posing for the customary photo-op

The best part though was Shekhawat making good the promise he had made before getting admitted to hospital last week (ref post of January 18) with a life-threatening carotid artery condition. As club president, Srichand Arora took his salute and the brief ceremony was followed by the customary march past round the Garden. The flag changed hands along the way – from Arora to Mumtaz Jahan to Banoo Apa to Kajal Babani and Bhaswati Bose to Bijoy Gupta…
This routine remains pretty much the same year after year. But there can be no denying the patriotic fervor and sense of distinction that seizes us every time we get to hold up the national flag. Truly, that’s what 'Proud to be Indian' is about.

Funny Exercise

DIFFERENT STROKES: Awakening the 'sleepy brain' early morning 

The other day Banoo Apa cracked an unintended joke which got everyone reeling in laughter: “Knock your heads harder and more numbers would tumble out!”
We were in the midst of the Chinese exercises – at a point when we had to drub our heads with our fingers to the count of 36. That this was needed to be done in three stages of 9 + 1 each with an additional six at the end had prompted Banoo to make the remark. It simply proved that our brains were incapable of keeping count beyond nine and we had to repeat ourselves again and again!
But then, that’s how the Chinese have devised all their exercises and we are not to question why.

Mumtaz Jahan drops by
with her father

What makes for an amusing spectacle though is the manner we have been going about drubbing our heads every morning. From delicate taps to hard knocks and mindless hammering and pounding, everyone has a way of activating the brain. In fact, no two people treat their heads the same way.

Happy Birthday and a long,
healthy life, Neelam Choudhary

Each has a style of his own.
Shekhawat hits his head with his finger tips as if it is some kind of tabla (rather ghatam) while Srichand Arora gently taps on like it is a fragile object about to break or burst. Lt Col Angad Singh vigorously drums his fingers front and back, Tara Chand beats the hell all around while Sardar Teja Singh daintily feels the sides of his turban and Bihari Milwani plays around his scalp as though he’s adjusting a wig. (By the way, he is enormously blessed with natural hair on his head, and elsewhere!)
The ladies are no less innovative. Mallika Kagzi will rarely be seen letting go of her head – she’d hold it so hard lest it fly off. Qadir Bano is even more careful, as she pulls her cap down to eye level as an added precaution. But Razia Khan is carefree and like Shekhawat, enjoys thumping and tapping about on rhythm. Bhaswati Bose couldn’t care less whether her head remains in one piece or turns 360 degrees, whereas for Santosh Tyagi, this is more of a meditative exercise, done at her own pace and pleasure.
In all this, one thing has become eminently clear: Nobody really knows how to correctly drum the head.
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
* It was nice to see Mumtaz Jahan's father -- an octogenarian in good health. He does not have any ailment, not even high blood pressure, which is quite common these days. One certainly admires how the older generation is keeping healthy and fit. Mumtaz is certainly proud of her parents. May God keep them healthy for a long time.
* We celebrated the birthday of Mrs Choudhary in absentia. The family has not been coming for quite sometime. Perhaps they feel injured. Every day we start the morning session on a positive note. It keeps everyone happy and stimulated through the day. The Choudhary family should be forgiving and forgetting some odd incident which has kept them away. This will bring them more joy and spread happiness, compassion and love among other members of the club. Spreading happiness makes you feel contented in life.

Day 1882

Pic(s) of the Week

January 23, 2016: 

HIGH TEA AT PRESIDENT'S HOUSE!

Hero’s Welcome

Shekhawat is congratulated for returning from hospital, fit and fine

The garlands were missing. So were the bugles and the drums. But everybody stood to attention, eyes blinking in disbelief as Hari Singh Shekhawat weaved his way across the Garden in the early morning mist to take his position for today’s exercises.
Many instantly executed a silent salute for this man who, less than 72 hours back, had undergone a life-threatening surgery for removing blockages from the carotid artery of his neck (ref post of January 21).
“He is not human,” remarked Srichand Arora, watching Shekhawat at his usual pranks, jovial as ever. “Who will say he has just been discharged from hospital? This must be the only specimen on earth. Nowhere will you find another such character!”
“Be careful,” Banoo Apa cautioned Shekhawat as he pranced around in the course of the exercises. “You are not supposed to exert yourself so soon after an operation. Who told you to come to the Garden today?

Mallika treats us to morning tea

You should be resting at home now.”
“I had already spoken to the doctor,” retorted Shekhawat.
“Before discharge at 2:30pm yesterday, I told the doctor that I go for laughing exercises every morning.

Parting treat: Prabha Kapoor is relocating
to Delhi this month-end 

He said no problem, do what you like. There are no restrictions on my life style, food or daily routine. It doesn’t even feel I’ve just had an operation.”
Later, Shekhawat was to explain in detail the procedure – as well as the hospital food, the two young nurses assigned to him in ICU, the fact that the surgeon holds a near 100% success record, how supportive everyone was… “I have been told to go for a follow-up on the 25th and once every three months thereafter,” he added.
This is the same Shekhawat who, in 2013, had plunged into severe depression following a heart stroke and bypass surgery at Asian Heart Institute. The depression lasted for nearly a year during which he had turned inconsolably desolate, confused and crestfallen. This time around, he has become the polar opposite, brimming with confidence and positivity. “I am a fauji aadmi (solider), don’t forget,” he boasted, a look of triumph writ large on his face.
“It’s nothing but willpower that has taken him through,” observed Tara Chand Seth. After all, before being admitted to hospital, Shekhawat had promised (ref post of January 18) to “return in time to unfurl the tricolor on Republic Day”. He has kept his word.
Lt Col Angad Singh:
Shekhawat is back, hale and hearty. It shows his 'will power', as also the WILL of the Almighty. Everyone was overjoyed to have Shekhawat back in the Big Laaf club.

Platinum Celebration

Tara Chand presents club calendar

Karishma gifts a memento 

Angad Singh presents bouquet of flowers

It was a day that comes but once in a lifetime. And blessed are those who live to see it and are able to celebrate with close family and friends. After all, how many of us get to live for 75 years, and beyond?

Srichand Arora gets floral shower

Srichand Arora garlands his wife

More than that, it had to be a rare privilege to usher in this landmark moment in the Garden and be part of Srichand Arora’s platinum jubilee celebration this morning.
However, it wasn’t much of a birthday bash as birthday bashes go -- just cake slices, crispies and tea. Restrictions on food and drinks in the Garden forced us to keep it small. But it was BIG in heart – what with so many friends, fans and followers joining in to wish the grand old man of Big Laaf many happy returns of the day.

Arora's OMG moment!!!

H.C.Jain presents the crystalware memento

Most importantly, his wife and co-traveler in life, Kiran Arora was present on the occasion.
Bihari Milwani’s daughter, Karishma was there to present him a memento, the numerals 75 standing out prominently in electric blue. Lt Col Angad Singh greeted Arora with a handsome bouquet while Tara Chand Seth gifted him a personalized desk calendar. Yet another octogenarian and Arora’s bosom pal, Hem Chand Jain presented him with the Big Laaf keepsake –

BIRTHDAY BOY AND HIS BETTER HALF

a specially crafted crystal glass artifact reserved for those reaching the ripe age of 75 years. Earlier recipients of this memento have been Ved Prakash Grover, Ram Shankar Shukla and Sitaram Hivarkar.
Before these presentations, Arora was accorded a floral shower, some ladies mischievously pelting rock-hard marigold flowers (instead of petals) on his bald pate. It must have hurt real bad on the cold, wintry morning. But then, who told Arora to be born in January?
Kiran Arora thoughtfully offset the rude impact by lovingly garlanding her husband and quickly giving him a playful peck on his cheek. Arora graciously returned the favour by garlanding her back, but did not dare to proceed beyond. That’s something he’ll presumably square up in the privacy of his home!
Once again, here’s wishing Arora sah'b so many more years of good health, joy and of course, lots and lots of laughter.
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
It is a day of reckoning when you turn sweet 75. Big Laaf members eagerly wait for this day. It is not the eats that matter. It is the relaxed and hilarious manner in which all of us join together to celebrate this eventful day. Wishing Arora-ji a long and healthy life.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Wishing you a remarkable and memorable 75th birthday, Arora-ji. May your birthday bring all the happiness and love you deserve.

Relieved!

Hari Singh Shekhawat

The Club today collectively heaved a sigh of relief as word trickled in on Shekhawat’s operation proving a success yesterday (see post). However, no direct confirmation could be obtained as all the phone numbers of Shekhawat and his family members were switched off/ out of reach since yesterday morning.
Later, after the exercises, Swati Punjabi was to show up and inform that she could speak to Shekhawat’s wife last evening (upon her returning home from hospital) and that indeed the operation has been successful.

Swati Punjabi (l) informs on success of Shekhawat's operation 

“He is out of danger,” Swati said quoting Mrs Shekhawat. “He has not lost his memory and can recognize everybody. Initially though, he felt a little woozy and had vomited. But that has been taken care of and he is able to eat normally now.

Srichand Arora (rt) invites the Club  home to his
75th birthday celebration on January 23 

Today he will be shifted out of ICU and by the day after, he should be discharged from hospital.”
Shekhawat was to call later around noon from the hospital, his voice sounding a little strained, but upbeat. “I have just been wheeled out of the ICU,” he exclaimed, jubilantly. “Everything has gone off first-class. The surgeon said he would make me senseless during the operation, but I could hear and feel everything. After the operation, when they asked me my name, age and so on, I could reply correctly. I vomited a lot afterwards, but the doctor said it was the effect of anesthesia and was only to be expected. Now I am eating well, feeling fine. More than anything else, I feel completely relieved.”
Shekhawat was all praise for the surgeon, known to have notched 140 such carotid artery surgeries so far. “All the operations have been 100 per cent successful, barring just four,” Shekhawat narrated. “I must also thank everybody in the Garden who prayed for me. It is because of your prayers and good wishes and my luck in getting a good doctor that I am able to be back on my feet now.”
Shekhawat should be home by Saturday, January 23.
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
This only proves that the Almighty grants the collective prayers which come from people's hearts. It substantiates the old proverb: 'Awaaz e khalaq naqaare khuda'.

Hospitalised

Razia Khan leads special prayers for Shekhawat

As you read this, Hari Singh Shekhawat should be through with his carotid artery surgery (ref post of January 18). He was admitted to the military hospital at Colaba late last evening and the time given for the surgery was 11:00 a.m. today. Further details are awaited.
Shekhawat had gone to the hospital early morning yesterday with the intention of getting his blood sugar checked.

When Nahid's shoulder serves as a table

Doctors figured out that any further delay (with more tests) would be too risky because the blockages in his left carotid artery had reached a critical stage. Shekhawat took time out to be at home with his family till the evening and got himself admitted at 8:00 p.m.
As things stand, Shekhawat will be in ICU for 24 hours post-surgery and thereafter, he shall be shifted to a general ward where he would be under observation for the next 48 hours.

The irrepressible Mallika and her 'tea friends'

Evidently, doctors felt it prudent not to interfere with the right carotid artery (which is 100% blocked) for the moment and are working on unclogging the left artery (30% functional). Should all go well (as indeed, we all hope and pray for) Shekhawat would be discharged on January 23 (Saturday).
The news was received in the Garden with guarded optimism and trepidation, mainly because of Shekhawat’s advanced age. He is 76 and had already undergone a bypass surgery, following a major heart stroke three years back. Razia Khan graciously led the ‘special prayers’ this morning after the exercises, imploring for success in the surgery and his safe return and recovery.
In this air of unease and concern, Mallika Kagzi managed to create a pleasant diversion with her round of tea and practical jokes. Nowadays, she saves the tea until most members disperse and she is able to let her hair down with a few select friends. The latter are no less ‘imaginative’ in matching her madcap antics – the best part being their ability to celebrate humor, even in the most worrisome of times.
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
God certainly listens to prayers. The collective prayers of all the members of the Laafter Club will certainly be answered by the Almighty. God willing, Shekhawat will be alright and be among us soon to make the morning sessions more colorful and lively.

Alternate Therapies

Sharing horror stories on medical malpractices 

Whoever knew that the quiet and observant ex-army man, Lt Col Angad Singh (retd) is also an ardent advocate of alternate therapy? Yesterday, when he heard that Shekhawat had been diagnosed (see post) with multiple blockages in the carotid arteries of his neck, he instantly suggested a diet of pomegranate juice.
“People do not realize that pomegranate has immense medicinal properties,” Singh said. “Regular intake would remove all blockages from blood vessels for a lifetime. I know this from experience.”
Today, this octogenarian gent came up with another prescription. He twisted and turned his fingers in a manner than would shame a bharatanatyam danseuse and declared: “Hold your hand in this position whenever you get the time and you will never suffer a heart problem in your life.”
Siba Prasad Maitra was so impressed by the instruction that he announced he “would try it out from today itself in the office” – as though that is where he faces a real threat to his life.
Not to be outdone, Dilip Babani came up with another amazing cure – for muscular catch.

Angad Singh (centre) does a demo
for removing heart blockage

Dilip Babani (left) demonstrates
how to cure a muscular catch

Like Singh, he did a little acrobatic demo with his fingers and positioning his hand like a double- barreled pistol (loaded), proclaimed: “Hold your hand like this and any cramp, catch or spasm in your body will disappear like magic!”
These exercises in the Garden at pushing the frontiers of medical science were prompted by the news of Shekhawat’s surgery being postponed for the time being. The blood sugar report he was waiting for has proved to be inconclusive and confusing, apparently due to some carelessness of the pathological lab.

Mallika Kagzi (rt) on a Dishum Dishum spree

Lest he lose any more time, Shekhawat had rushed early morning to the military hospital in Colaba, ready for another round of tests there.
Maitra observed that carelessness and exploitation had become rampant in the medical profession, both at the level of pathological labs and of course, with private doctors. Everybody present had a horror story to narrate on the malpractices in hospitals and that is when it was felt that rather than depend on unscrupulous doctors, self-help is the best help. The therapies prescribed by Dilip Babani and Angad Singh were only small steps in that direction.
Later, Maitra and Dilip went on to proudly demonstrate their newfound knowledge to (of all the people) Mallika Kagzi. For all their painstaking efforts in finger-twisting, the lady understood only one thing – Dilip Babani’s dishum dishum. So chuffed was she by this simple lesson in life that she joyfully waved her ‘double-barrel fingers’ around with the warning cry, "Dishum!" "Dishum!" This much for all the education in self-help!
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
Alternate therapy is relevant in the modern age as allopathic treatment has become very expensive. The middle class is finding it difficult to afford the ever-increasing medical expenses. Alternate therapy, in whatever form, gives relief at a negligible cost.

Worry Lines

Shekhawat addresses all members, making light of his medical situation 

First the good news: Srichand Arora wants to throw a big bash on Friday. It’s his 75th birthday. Platinum Jubilee. And he intends to make it LARGE.
The only problem is he cannot decide on the place and timing. Since eatables are prohibited inside the Garden (unless sealed securely in packets/ boxes) he will have to figure some place else.
Still, he sounded us today and informed that the party will be restricted to Club members only. “The venue will be intimated later,” he said.
When some ladies asked if the place is very far away and could he at least give us a hint on whether it would be within walking distance or must we have to take a bus/ autorickshaw/ taxi/ helicopter, pat came his reply: “I’ve already booked two (train) bogies!”
Now the not-so-good news: Shekhawat has no choice but to go for carotid stenting surgery as early as possible (ref post of January 8). His test reports of January 16 reveal 70 per cent blockage in the left carotid artery and “near complete” blockage of the right artery. He was supposed to be admitted on Saturday itself at the military hospital in Colaba,

Mumtaz Jahan treats us to walnuts from Kashmir

but the attending surgeon detected an unusual spike in blood sugar levels and has deferred the date to January 19 (tomorrow).
Shekhawat is no doubt perturbed, but kept a brave face: “Life or death is not in one’s hands. Should I get the report on blood test (for diabetes) by this evening, I shall go tomorrow morning and get admitted. I am going with a positive mind and mark my words, I shall be back to unfurl the tricolor on Republic Day.”
What bothers us though is that the doctors have subtly hinted at the risks of undergoing such a critical surgery at age 76 and even warned Shekhawat on the possibility of sinking into coma.
They have also sought a meeting with his next of kin – wife and son – so that the family is adequately briefed and kept in the loop.
The question that arises now is whether there is an alternative treatment -- perhaps through medication, injectible or otherwise, which could obviate the need for surgery. Or is it already too late for experimentation?
In this worrisome air, Mumtaz Jahan infused some cheer with a bag of walnuts her father has brought from Kashmir. “The old man has carried these all the way from our ancestral home,” she informed. “This is an expression of his love…” We thank him profusely, through his worthy daughter.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Shekhawat-ji, may you be blessed with the power and love of God and the affection of all those who love you. We pray for you to be hale and hearty.
Swati Punjabi:
We hope your surgery shall be successful. Please go with positive intentions.

Day 1875

Pic of the Week

LEMMING LINE?  CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF HERE? Click on image for enlargement.

A magnificent spectacle of ta'i chi after the laughter exercise. Traditional yoga is a perfect exercise in itself and needs no supplement. --Jagmohan Papneja

I am 15th from the front, covered by the tall Pushpa in red pants. --Bhaswati Bose

This is the 29-coach Green Express bullet train on its trial run! --Bihari Milwani

Action Replay

Teja Singh gets a warm hug from wife

Wife gets the first bite of birthday sweets

It continued to rain Sankranti sweets today also. In fact, it was more like ‘action replay’ – a continuation from yesterday – with even a birthday treat thrown in, just that the celebrations were a little dated.
As expected Lt Col Angad Singh came with jaggery crispies and revdies – sweets associated with winter in north India. There were the til-gul Sankranti luddoos as well – this time from friends (read non-members) in the Garden, including Suresh Samel, a retired sales tax commissioner.
But the biggest celebration was of Teja Singh Bhambra’s 76th birthday. For the first time, his wife was present to share the honours and it was from her hands that he took the first bite of a luddoo. They surely make a lovely, lovey-dovey couple and to our pleasant surprise, the lady struck a PDA pose with her arms around her husband in a warm hug.
Teja Singh’s birthday was actually four days back – on January 12. The celebration got delayed because we wanted to have it with the presentation of his birthday calendar. Besides, what could be any better than celebrating on an auspicious day – Guru Govind Singh Jayanti? Once again, many happy returns of the day, Sardar-ji!

Lt Col Angad Singh's (rt) treat

Til-gul treat from a Club friend

Suresh Samel's til-gul treat

Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
The charm of birthdays is enhanced when couples join and celebrate together with colleagues. Today's was indicative of warmth and blush. This practice must continue. God bless the good folk.