On Cloud Nine

Shekhawat (in green) hosting his tea party

Hari Singh Shekhawat today made the mistake of wearing his heart on his sleeve. And he had to pay the price for it. He had to treat everyone to a grand tea party at the nearest joint open in the wee hours of the morning – right under a drippy, rain-soaked tree!
The trigger for his blooper was a little beep in his mobile telling him that his monthly pension from the Navy had been credited to his bank account. He should have ideally kept quiet about it, but being the boastful simpleton, he went on to display the message to everyone around in the China Hut.
On top, he informed that he is one of the many lucky beneficiaries from the Rs85,000 crore bonanza announced yesterday for government staff and pensioners. So chuffed was he that he even started reeling out details of his investments in landed property across Mumbai and Rajasthan when nobody really asked him to.
Clearly Shekhawat was on cloud nine, blissfully unaware that he was surrounded by the Club’s famous ‘female terrorists’ who would not forgive him for being left high and dry.

Shekhawat waxes eloquent on his windfall... and investments

Dilip Babani (l) advises Kiran Prakash

Bhaswati Bose, Kajal Babani, Swati Punjabi and Geeta Latte promptly got into their act and demanded that he write off one apartment in each of their names forthwith. Their demand dropped to free and unfettered access to one of his Rajasthan properties after converting it to a swank holiday home. Eventually, they settled for tea. Shekhawat was game.
Meanwhile, here is a piece of sage advice Dilip Babani was to give to Kiran Prakash today which should hold all insomniacs in good stead: “Pick up the most boring second-hand book you find with a scrap dealer. Don’t take a novel, because reading it is like watching a movie and it will keep you awake all night. The book might cost you 20-30 rupees, but it is cheaper, more effective and less harmful than any sleeping pill. You will fall asleep in half an hour, guaranteed!”
For Prakash, who habitually wakes up every night at 3:00 a.m. and is unable to sleep after that, this was music to his ears.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
Armed forces personnel are simple and happy-go-lucky. Whenever some amount is received by them, it is a 'pay day' for them and worth enjoying. It is good that dear Shekhawat remembers the old tradition and celebrates joyfully with his colleagues.

Back from Kiwiland

Welcome back, Siba Prasad Maitra

Siba Prasad Maitra is back from New Zealand. He had been on a 10-day business trip that took him on a whirlwind tour of Auckland, Mt Maunganui and Queenstown (among other places). Time did not however, permit him a visit to the national capital, Wellington.
That Maitra was being missed in the Garden all these days was evident the moment he showed up this morning. Abruptly the exercises were suspended and everybody broke into a round of applause welcoming him back – something unprecedented in the Club. He had actually informed some people on WhatsApp yesterday of having

Mallika Kagzi

touched base in Mumbai and that had raised expectations all around.
Not finding him at the start of the exercises (because of the rains), frantic calls were made to his residence – some ladies even plotting to send him back to New Zealand should he have forgotten to get chocolates for them!
Maitra did not disappoint. He brought Whittaker’s popular cocoa bars along with loads of photos on his new iPhone and charming anecdotes that would probably take a month now to narrate. A gifted raconteur, he is capable of transporting his audience

Soothing hot tea from Mallika Kagzi

to the “heaven on earth” (trust him to say jahannam in Hindi) he had been to – the picture postcard beauty of clear water lakes, verdant stretches of greenery, the crystal blue skies, even the depths of ‘mines’ from where dark medicinal sub-soil is extracted... in short, the natural splendour New Zealand is known for. Even cloud shots taken by him from the aircraft looked ethereal.
Significantly, Mallika Kagzi made a surprise appearance (while on roza) mainly to celebrate her marriage anniversary with us today. On a wet, drippy morning, nothing could have been more welcome than the special, piping hot tea she had brought along. But in the end, it was the jolly, sharp-witted and charismatic Maitra who carried the morning.
For the record, Maitra is founder director of Geluk Pharma, a company set up late last year in Mahim for marketing some extraordinary cosmeceutical and skin care products. It was in connection with sourcing and familiarising himself with the stuff in much of its raw form that he had made this trip to New Zealand.
We wish him the very best in his enterprise.
Siba Prasad Maitra:
I was really amazed at the reception from members -- even as I am quite irregular for the exercises. I appreciate the gesture of that made me feel their very own and as close as a family member. I thank the Blog Monster also for the good words on my new venture and his wishes on the success of Geluk Pharma.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
It is nice of Mallika Kagzi to come during Ramzan and join club members to celebrate her marriage anniversary. Wishing her a long and happy married life.The very presence of Siba Prasad Maitra in the club is in itself a healthy sign. His simple and innocent jokes make everyone laugh and enjoy.

Come to Stay

SURYA NAMASKAR IN THE RAINS

The rains have come to stay. After forcing us to remain cloistered in the China Hut for days, the weather improved a bit this morning and we were able to break loose for a breath of fresh air in the open. It was a brief reprieve though, just long enough to wrap up our exercises.

Busy eating and relishing Swati Punjabi's dal dokli

Kiran Prakash

And as the sky opened, we performed the exceptional act of paying obeisance to the cloud-capped sun god, umbrellas held high, lest we get drenched.
In this dark and uncertain atmosphere, Karuna Waghmare provided the sparks, particularly after spotting Kiran Prakash seated on a bench during the exercises. Fact is, he hasn’t quite recovered from a virulent tummy attack that had kept him away from the Garden for almost a week. Rather than sympathise with him, she took a dig for his being seated: “What, you had to come to the Garden because your wife turned you out of the house?”
Shekhawat was his usual frisky self, trying restlessly to evade the breast-beating number during the tai-chi round, only to get trapped with it. But the high point of the morning was Swati Punjabi’s sumptuous treat of dal-dokli – a popular dish in Marwari/ Gujarati homes. Swati need not have bothered though – more so, as there was no occasion to celebrate – and we had told her so. But she insisted and in true Pavlovian style, we succumbed to the temptation.
The oddest part is that Swati needs to be coaxed to partake in the eats she serves us so generously every other day. Says something about people who enjoy pleasing others while depriving themselves.
Tripti Punjabi:
My mother is always generous and loves cooking for everyone. It is so delightful to see everyone loving her food. She needs no reasons to cook for anyone. I am so happy to see her enjoying with her friends!
Bihari Milwani:
In the absence of our president Ms Mallika, we had Mr Kiran Prakash as chairman and that is why he was sitting on the chair.

DAY 1995

Pic of the Week

"C'MON, LET'S DANCE!"

Monsoon Arrives

Too wet to fly?

After many false starts, monsoon has struck with a bang. Torrential rain accompanied by thunder and lightning lashed Mumbai through the night and in the early hours of the morning. But by daybreak, when we landed in the Garden, it had all subsided and we were greeted by the spectacular sight of more than a hundred pigeons roosting peacefully in the green lawns. Apparently they were too wet or sleepy (or both) to take flight so early in the morning.
We let them be and contained ourselves to the China Hut during the exercises, lest it started to rain again. The fear of getting drenched by another downpour dissuaded many from turning up today, much to Shekhawat’s consternation. It was his wife, Mohan Kanwar’s birthday. And for one who believes in numbers, the absence of regulars like Bijoy Gupta, Kanta Sharma, Ram Shankar Shukla and others was making him uneasy.
Those following this blog would know that Mohan Kanwar was hospitalised last week for a day and she still hasn’t recovered from a state of weakness and fatigue (see post of June 17).

Hubby wishes Birthday Girl

Yet she showed up today. Looking withdrawn, she was not her usual self, despite our best efforts to cheer her up and wish her many happy returns of the day.

Mr and Mrs Shekhawat posing for the birthday photo

Shekhawat chivalrously clapped and danced around her and was to later pose with her against a backdrop of red hibiscus for a photo-op. All that made a difference and brought a smile to her face. But she was much too stressed out and under the weather.
The only dampener on an otherwise dry morning was that the food packets ordered by Shekhawat did not turn up on time. It was a minor lapse, not something to be made an issue of. But we all need to be careful on placing orders with Vyanjan next -- more so, as this is the second occasion (after Kanta Sharma's birthday) to be let down by them.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
The arrival of monsoon with a bang resulted in empty benches and the presence of pigeons flocking on the ground. The birds and men have been together to enjoy nature. Wishing Mrs Shekhawat Happy Birthday and a healthy life.

DAY 1993

Pic of the Week

TRUNCATED TRAIN!

Due to heavy rains, the Big Laaf train compartments are restricted to four! --Bihari Milwani

Superb Wit

All ears on Karuna Waghmare (c)

That in these times, it is still possible to retain one’s innocence and remain insulated from external influences was proved by Karuna Waghmare today. The following two ‘jokes’ narrated by her in the morning would adequately amplify this:
* An elephant befriended an ant. One day, the ant climbed up the elephant’s body and said that it had a confession to make. “Keep this to yourself,” the ant whispered in the elephant’s ear. “It’s a secret. I am going to be the mother of your child.”
* One day a coconut fell from a tree. A monkey, swinging about on the tree-top, gleefully descended upon the fallen coconut and tried to break it. Unable to do so, it straddled upon the coconut and started rocking up and down like it was on a rocking horse!
So what’s funny?
Anybody relating these ‘jokes’ would only draw a stony silence. But coming from Karuna, we were reduced to tears, laughing out hard and unable to take it any more. The podgy little lady has perfected a style of speaking in staccato half-sentences and she isn’t even aware how funny she can be -- especially when she waves her tiny hands around for effect.

File photo of Mr and Mrs Shekhawat

As Dilip Babani pointed out to her, “Anything you say is funny.”
While we shall be hearing more of Karuna Waghmare (now that she is back from her sojourn at her daughter’s), here’s a bit of disturbing news. Mrs Mohan Kanwar Shekhawat was admitted to Sanghvi Hospital, Lokhandwala yesterday with a severe bout of nausea and vomiting. She was discharged around 10:30 pm after some drips and injections. But for the time she was admitted, Shekhawat was badly rattled.

Happy Anniversary, Mr and Mrs Angad Singh

Kiran Prakash who called on him late evening reported that Mrs Shekhawat looked extremely weak and exhausted. The latest, according to Shekhawat, is that “the test reports indicate that she is out of danger and there’s nothing to worry now”.
Meanwhile, our in-house computing wizard, Bihari Milwani informs that Mr and Mrs Angad Singh have completed 65 glorious years of married life today. “They were married on June 17, 1951,” he reminds us, faultless as always in keeping track of every milestone in everybody's life. What statisticians are to cricketing records, Milwani is to us in Big Laaf.
As Angad Singh is away at Mohali, let us convey to him and his wife through this blog our heartfelt wishes for many more years of togetherness and marital bliss.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
We wish the Shekhawats a very enjoyable and long inning. Happy to know that Mrs Shekhawat is well and enjoying good health. We are also thankful to Milwani-ji for remembering our marriage anniversary. We will certainly celebrate when we return to the club.

Celebration Continues

Aryan and Kanta Sharma (foreground) with the food boxes

Kanta Sharma started off from where she left yesterday. The Vyanjan food boxes due for her birthday celebration (see yesterday’s post) arrived this morning, albeit a little late. It took her son, Aryan to physically abduct the delivery man from some place and produce him in the Garden before everybody had dispersed for the day.
Today’s do was however, not about finishing an unfinished business. With time on hand, it was an opportunity to know Aryan better and he too could let his hair down with us.

Mother and son, done and dusted

Swati Punjabi went to the extent of charging at him (in her usual style) for being addressed as 'grandmom'. “What else am I to say?” the young man retorted gamely. “If you can call my mom ‘auntie’, why mustn’t I call you ‘nani’?”
There were many such chatty exchanges and quick repartees, though of little consequence. After all, it does not matter what the substance of conversation is or the extent of liberty one takes with the other on such occasions. What matters is the kind of interaction we get to share with the families of our members – something we sorely lack.

Geeta Lathe's (l) succulent petha treat

Sadly, club birthdays have come to be a ritual of mechanically doling out goodies with a family junior in polite attendance, hardly opening up with anyone. Today, Aryan Sharma showed us that this need not be so and that a birthday celebration can be much more than just eats and treats. That he ‘compensated’ some with additional food boxes was however, another matter.
Meanwhile, Geeta Latte had another big surprise in store. Her mother has just come back from Jaipur and she brought along for us a box of golden yellow pethas – the soft, crunchy candy the city is famous for. This was one syrupy temptation that even an amputated diabetic like Arun Patil could not resist. The rest could easily be forgiven for over-indulgence.
Bihari Milwani:
Ramzaan or no Ramzaan, parties must go on. That is the motto of Big Laaf!
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
It is only in the Big Laaf club that you can enjoy the celebration of one person's birthday on two consecutive days. Good indication and a new example that you can celebrate whenever you feel like. Happy Birthday, Mrs Sharma.

Passing Show?

WITH THE BIRTHDAY GIRL (R)

Monsoon finally landed in Mumbai today... or has it?
From early dawn, dark grey clouds hung over the Garden and by 6:30 a.m., when the sky opened up, it looked like we were now done with the punishing heat and humidity of the past several weeks. But the relief was only temporary. The showers did not last beyond half-hour and after that,

Happy Birthday, once again!

the sun began to play hide and seek with the clouds for the rest of the morning.
The upshot of this was that we had to shift location and like every year, revert to the China Hut for the exercises. The sudden rains had brought down the attendance considerably. Yet, the confined space turned claustrophobic and many quietly slipped out in the open while the exercises were on for a breath of fresh air.

Members felicitating Kanta Sharma

The fear of another downpour hung heavy.
In all this, the only bright occurrence of the morning was Kanta Sharma celebrating her birthday in the Garden for the first time. (She is one of our newer members.) Till yesterday, she was away in Delhi and quite clearly, had timed her return to be with us for this special occasion – what with delectable dry-fruit barfis from the capital, a humongous birthday cake (that just did not get over) and most importantly, there was her son, Aryan for company. She had ordered for snacks also, but for some reason, the boxes from Vyanjan got delayed and those have been saved for another day.
Without much fuss, mother and son made this an event that would stay in our memories for a long time. Sadly, the photographs taken on the occasion got accidentally deleted from the camera and in spite of all efforts through the day, the images could not be retrieved. What you see here are pictures clicked by Aryan Sharma.
Thank you Aryan, for being such a sound back-up.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
We wish Mrs Sharma good health and happiness in the coming years.

Brighter Side

Swati Punjabi

Bijoy Gupta

Ramzaan has already robbed us of the numbers for our exercises. And the weather isn’t making things easier. With no sign of monsoon yet, even Nahid Khan has become irregular these days. She had been the only Muslim lady in Ramzaan to show up religiously every morning at the Garden in spite of her roza. Now, she says, she too cannot take the summer heat for long.
But then, there is also a brighter side to all this drudgery. Bijoy Gupta hasn’t given up on needling Shekhawat, his latest gem being that he has placed a call with a bangarwallah “to pick up Shekhawat’s rusty old train as scrap”. And Shekhawat isn’t sparing Ram Shankar Shukla from his gurukul jibes while insisting that he take up a 1,000 sq feet property on rent at Nalla Sopara for a new tutorial class.
There is also Arun Patil who conducts the exercises (in the absence of Nahid Khan) and never tires of reprimanding the ladies who have formed a “talking zone” among themselves.

Kiran Prakash distributes Karachi Bakery biscuits

And adding spice to the proceedings, there is Santosh Tyagi ready to regale everybody with a round of fresh jokes.
Amid all this, Swati Punjabi today treated us to sabu-dana khichdi – something she had been promising us for long. She is one lady who does not require a reason to lavish her culinary bounties, so proud is she of her cooking skills. And indeed, even boiled potato can taste heavenly once it is out of her kitchen.
If the sabu dana khichdi were not enough, there was Kiran Prakash just back from Hyderabad with a box of tooti-fruity biscuits from the city’s famous Karachi Bakery. He arrived early morning after a tiresome train journey, but could not resist the temptation of checking us out in the Garden – such is the magnetic pull of Big Laaf!
Dilip Babani:
KIRAN PRAKASH-JI, THOSE WERE VERY NICE AND FRESH KARACHI FRUIT BISCUITS. AND SWATI-JI, YOUR SABOO DANA KICHDI WAS ALSO VERY NICE.
Lt Col Angaad Singh (from Mohali):
Ramzaan has begun. The strength of Muslim ladies has decreased. Still you can enjoy the 'woman power' in the club. The men appear to be in a minority. It is worth the effort to be part of the morning exercises and also relish the cookies. Relax, exercise and keep enjoying.

Day 1988

Pic of the Week

JUNE 11, 2016: FELICITATIONS ON SCORING A SUPER 77!

Happy Birthday, Sitaram-ji. May God bless you! --Dilip Babani

Show of Strength

'Birthday Girl' Mallika Kagzi lis lost in the midst of friends and well-wishers

It was Mallika Kagzi’s birthday today. She not only had the 30-odd members who took part in the exercises to join the celebration, but also a dozen others from the Garden (read ‘non-members’) to descend on the Club and felicitate her on the occasion.

Mallika cuts her birthday cake

On a rough count, there were at least 50 revelers celebrating with her and gorging on home-made keema-pao and the works.
Never before had the Garden witnessed such a huge outburst of joy and spontaneous demonstration goodwill for a president of the Club. It was simply phenomenal by all standards.
Not just that.

Serving the guests

Mallika had her sister over for the first time in the Garden to be part of today’s do. Bihari Milwani came in late, but had not forgotten to bring along a beautiful one-of-a-kind memento with Mallika’s photograph prominently propped.

Milwani presents birthday memento

Banoo Apa and Razia Khan separately presented her with personal gifts while some others pitched in with the birthday cake. As per custom we raised the fourth laughter, sang the birthday song and with some ceremony,

Dilip Babani distributes Sai Baba's prasad

presented the birthday calendar to the birthday girl.
If this should all appear mere formality, what can be said of the special attention given to the gastronomic preferences of some people

Mallika receives her birthday calendar

– to the extent, Mallika had prepared separate portions for those with rebellious tummies and/or allergies? She had discreetly checked on this in advance so that nobody may feel left out.
All through the morning she fussed around like an anxious Mother Hen, lest anyone should have anything to complain about. That was what made today’s bash all the more eventful.
Amid all the feasting and merrymaking, Dilip and Kajal Babani distributed prasad from a visit to the Sai Baba temple in Shirdi last weekend. It was also the birthday of their daughter, Juhi today and we got to have chocolates too.
That they had deliberately kept their celebration low-key and not steal the show over Mallika’s big day, speaks volumes of the natural grace and camaraderie the Babanis share with members of the Club. Juhi, a very happy birthday to you as well.
Bihari Milwani:
It was a very big and beautiful party; but unfortunately, for the next three years, Mallika will not be able to celebrate her birthday as it will fall during the Ramzaan month.
Bhaswati Bose:
What a grand celebration, Mallika-ji! Juhi, you missed it. It would have been nice had you joined us in the Garden this morning. Still, a very happy birthday to you as well. Have a blast!!!
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
We are unnecessarily downplaying the Woman Power by celebrating only one day in the year as MOTHER'S DAY. Here, in our Club, 2016 is proving to be the 'Year of Woman Power'. Be it laughter exercises, free-hand exercises, birthday celebrations or in the daily munching, WOMAN POWER is visible throughout the Garden. Keep enjoying and be happy.
Siba Prasad Maitra:
Happy Birthday, Mallika-ji. I missed such a beautiful treat and your special tea. I pray to God for your good health and long life.
Dilip Babani:
Happy Birthday, Mallika-ji. God bless you. The full Big Laaf family loves you!

Day 1986

Pic of the Week

SMILE PLISS! SWEET MEMORIES ARE MADE FROM SUCH SELFIES

I don't know of any other person like Geeta, who is so sweet, principled, affectionate and respectful to all. May God bless her and always keep her happy. --Kiran Prakash

Very nice photo! --Dilip Babani

What an amazing expression of Yusuf-bhai! He's looking at something funny, I guess. Or perhaps, it's the first time he's posing in front of the camera. --Kajal Babani

Bleak Times

Tara Chand Seth

Tara Chand Seth said his goodbyes today before leaving for Delhi. For quite some time, he has been keeping indifferent health, mainly because of the incredible summer heat this year.

Banoo Apa (r) with an admirer

He says he has never suffered so much in Mumbai.
“Yesterday morning, I had come right up to the Garden but returned from the gate,” the 86-year-old narrated. “My head started spinning. I am having frequent blackouts also, which has never happened before. I need to see my doctor in Delhi.”
Tara Chand is not the only one to be complaining of the cruel weather conditions. Almost everyone in the Club is struck by some heat-related ailment and is under the active care of a doctor. Many like Laxmi Naidu, Sitaram Hivarkar, Karuna Waghmare and Fahmida Khan have altogether stopped visiting the Garden and would rather keep themselves

Wishing Yusuf Rassiwala 'Ramzaan Mubarak'

updated on the Club by phone.
Next week, hopefully, the monsoon would descend and bring about some relief. Before that, the holy month of Ramzaan would have begun (on Monday/ Tuesday) and many who are now present for the exercises will also stop coming. And should it start to rain cats and dogs (as is being forecast), it would be hard to find a single soul in the Garden. Effectively, we are in for a bleak phase in days to come.
Meanwhile, Banoo Apa is turning out to be the very personification of benevolence. Today, for no reason in particular, she treated everyone to the most mouth-watering dahi-vadas imaginable. Mildly chilled with just about the right dash of sweet and sour, the evenly-textured lentil dumplings simply dissolved in the mouth. For most of us who do not make this delicacy at home and are rather conditioned by the taste of mass-marketed junk, this was like manna from heaven – especially after the exercises.
No amount of thanking Banoo Apa can ever be enough.
Dilip Babani:
TARA CHAND-JI, HAVE A NICE JOURNEY!
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
Tara Chand Seth, our senior-most member, has been active and happily participating in all events of the Club. His presence with us is a matter of huge encouragement to all. We wish him a very happy and healthy long life. Hope he will be back from Delhi soon.

Breakfast Fiesta

Swati Punjabi cuts the birthday cake

We’ve done it all, had it all – from lip smacking sweets and delicacies to scrumptious crunchies and fries to take-your-pick luddoos and barfis to wholesome keema-pao meals and Vyanjan food boxes... and just when we thought that morning treats cannot get any better, Swati Punjabi came up with a veritable breakfast fiesta – potato mash, chhole, puris, dhokla and so on, all served on a platter and to be washed down with glasses of refreshing chhaas.
That today’s weather was unusually benign with a light cloud cover

Yusuf Rassiwala presents Swati the club calendar

and gentle breeze wafting across added to the festive atmosphere in the Garden.
Swati had a full house for her birthday bash this morning. She was supposed to celebrate at Juhu Beach (ref post of May 19), but a last-minute 'change of plans' ensured we be better grounded in the Garden. We went through the standard rituals – raising the fourth laughter, cutting the birthday cake and singing the birthday song to raucous cheering and applause. Yusuf Rassiwala presented the birthday girl with her club calendar while Kajal Babani did the honours of smearing splotches of white cake cream on Swati’s cheeks.

Cleaning up after the birthday bash

And then the cans and bags of goodies were opened one by one!
Swati was up all night to have the stuff ready for us by the morning. “I have been by the gas stove from 3:30 a.m.,” she confessed, looking a tad tired. “But that’s all very fine since everybody enjoyed my cooking. That’s been my biggest birthday reward.”
Amid all the burping and bonhomie, sudden panic gripped us. Ram Shankar Shukla had gone missing. Around 9:00 a.m., the first call came from his grand-daughter saying he was yet to return home. The family was under the mistaken impression we were still partying at Juhu Beach.
Discreetly search teams fanned out to areas where Shukla had been sighted earlier. Nahid Khan stayed put in the Garden, coordinating with the watchman, in turn stationed near the public toilets. The general fear was that Shukla had lost his way, or worse, met with an accident. After all, the 81-year-old (who celebrated his birthday last Monday) tends to lose his balance while walking and had once fallen down on the streets, hurting himself.
At 9:50 a.m., the suspense was lifted with word coming in of Shukla returning home safe and sound. He had paid a visit to the local post office!
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
The secret is out of the bag. Now we know how the members of Big Laaf remain happy, naughty and knotty as well. The cookies, keema, Vayanjan and other treats, especially after the fourth big laugh, do the trick. Keep laughing and remain fit. It is a good tonic.