DAY 2022

Pic of the Week

BIKING ON  THE BEACH... at Puri

For people like us, who live in this crowded and polluted city of Mumbai, biking on the beach... at Puri was a heavenly experience. But Blog Monster, how are you keeping a track on my movements? --Kiran Prakash

Very nice holiday photo of Kiran Prakash. You look like a hero! --Dilip Babani

Our worthy blog monster is not only a keen observer and reporter, he is also a spy master on the sly. If any proof is needed, this photo is quite sufficient. --Lt Col Angad Singh

Joke Gone Sour

Shekhawat takes a breather after exercises

One of the long-standing jokes during our exercises is the chest-thumping number performed in the tai-chi round. Nobody likes doing it – least of all Shekhawat. For some (presumably superstitious) reason, it is associated with mourning the dead. But everyone has been intent upon ‘trapping’ Shekhawat into leading this drill, even if it were to mean some people shifting positions or having to rejig the sequence of exercises.
Shekhawat understands this perfectly and has been very sporting about it, much as he’d make a major song and dance over trying to avoid or skip his turn. Such antics only add to the mirth and general bonhomie within the group during the exercises – till Shekhawat threw a fit this morning.
Suddenly, for no particular reason, he declared that there was a ‘calculated conspiracy’ to corner him on the chest thumping number. “Once in a while is fine, but every day how can it be my turn?” he asked incredulously and stomped away to park himself on a bench at a distance.
The situation, by itself, was hilarious beyond words.

Santosh Tyagi and Bijoy Gupta rehearse their parts

For, nobody can deny that there has always been a deliberate move to ‘trap’ him, simply because we felt he enjoyed being made scapegoat. But today, in any case, it was to be his turn -- coincidentally. Dilip Babani explained this was all in good humour and Mallika Kagzi left her place to take Shekhawat’s position, if that would comfort him. But he kept sulking in silence.
It wasn’t for long though. Within minutes, Shekhawat was on his feet, back to his pranks and the moment the rehearsals for the Annual Day function began, he had become irrepressible. There was no stopping him from coming up with bizarre lines (for the skit), butting in when others (like Bijoy Gupta) were in flow, insisting on dancing in his 'style' and even introducing words in the lyrics (eg. “Darling Ho!” instead of “Taliho”) which only he can imagine!
Incidentally, a professional choreographer has been coming in to train our dancers on their steps and moves. To a large extent she has succeeded with everyone – excepting one man. But then, how does it matter so long as he is having a ball?
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
Chest thumping is an important exercise. It expels polluted air stuck in our lungs. We inhale fresh oxygen in its place and get more energy and become healthy. In the Club, the members add jokes to an exercise to make it more fun. And when one person is targeted every day, the oddity is more hilarious and enjoyable.

DAY 2020

Pic of the Week

CELEBRATING TWO BEAUTIFUL MINDS

This lonely boy found an unlikely sister on Raksha Bandhan day.

A worthy sister performing her duty diligently. --Lt Col Angad Singh

Shooting the Breeze

Saturday Morning Fervor: Time to unwind...

Kiran Prakash (in cap) treats us to khaja

Saturday is usually the busiest day at the Club. This is one day when we tend to unwind from a week of ‘rigorous exercising’ and generally chill out, shooting the breeze. Consequently, the maximum footfalls are recorded on Saturday mornings.
Things turned out even better for us today as Kiran Prakash marked his return from a trip to Bhubaneshwar-Puri carrying a white bag of goodies.
He had brought along a special sweet called ‘khaja’ – actually, a crispy confection of flour cake, deep-fried and soaked in sugar syrup – peculiar to Orissa.
He had some lovely photographs also on his cell phone to show, including one in which he is seen astride a bicycle on Puri beach.
There were others like Siba Prasad Maitra and Yusuf Rassiwala as well, which was to revive the enthusiasm in preparations for the Club’s Annual Day function. However, it appears that instead of September 3, the date for the event will have to be pushed to the following Saturday, i.e. September 10.
This would enable participants (read ‘performing artistes’) to prepare themselves better and have joint rehearsals with one another .
Some technical issues on the lights and sound system also need to be ironed out. A final call on the date however, remains to be taken.
Meanwhile, the ladies and particularly, kids are going full throttle on the singing and dance rehearsals. This motely group has been meeting in the China Hut every evening for the past few days, come rain or sunshine, and are working on their parts, much to the delight of onlookers in the Garden.
If anything, this should revive childhood memories in many -- of the rehearsals they might have been part of during their school and college days.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
It is heartening to note that preparations for the Annual Day function are in full swing. This time, I am sure, it will be more enjoyable and entertaining than last year. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend this great occasion.

What a Relief!

ONE WITH NATURE: Back to our old stomping ground

After more than a month of exercising in the dark, musty confines of the China Hut, we finally got a reprieve today. The rains had subsided, the weather had improved – it was neither sunny nor wet. There were still some clouds hovering above,

Swati Panjabi (in brown slacks) extends invite for packed puri-bhaaji breakfast

but we took our chances and returned to our old stomping ground in the Garden.
What a relief it was!
We were greeted by a passing shower, but that did not last beyond a couple of minutes. The skies cleared soon after and a gentle breeze blew across. That apart, the liberating feeling of openness in the Garden lawns with beautiful, rain-washed greenery around provided the much-needed mood booster for the exercises. We were one with nature.
As an added bonus, Swati Panjabi came up with home-prepared breakfast boxes at the end of the exercises. The (masala) puri-bhaji is something she excels in, a taste of which many of us have already savoured. But it was the surprise element about it that endeared her all the more. There was no reason for her to lavish such a sumptuous treat on us today.
But then, that is Swati Panjabi: enormously warm-hearted, selfless and generous to a fault.

‘Angel in Disguise’

From left: Shekhawat, Mumtaz Jahan, Vandana Kankanwar and Rakhi Bansi

Surprises do not cease at Big Laaf. Every morning we are treated to something new or refreshing that would break the monotony of our daily Garden routine.
But rarely does an occasion arise when we would come face to face with an unexpected incident that warms the cockles of our heart – as it happened today.
Vandana Kankanwar, a former (and to many, a forgotten) member of the Club, had turned up unannounced after the exercises with a bouquet of flowers and a box of besan luddoos.
She wanted to share her joy with us upon her son Tejas securing admission in the prestigious IES College of Architecture, Bandra.
More importantly, she wanted to publicly thank and felicitate Mumtaz Jahan for making this happen.
“Were it not for her, my boy would not be studying architecture today,” said Vandana. “His application for admission had been rejected by the college authorities and he was on a loose end

Vandana celebrates with besan luddoos

Mallika shares nankhatai from Surat

as we could not afford the exorbitant capitation fees. That was when Rakhi (Bansi) suggested I take Mumtaz Jahan’s help. No sooner did she intervene than my son received a call from the college to resubmit his papers. I have not seen God, but this lady has come to me as farishta, an angel in disguise.”
Tickled pink, Mumtaz narrated how the college initially refused to reconsider their request for admission till she decided to throw her weight as vice-president of the Maharashtra State Council of the International Human Rights Protection Council (ref post August 2). She showed the college officials the rule book and demanded that Vandana’s son be admitted under the EWS (economically weaker section) quota. “Not only he, three other applicants who had been turned down, were recalled and given admission under the same quota,” Mumtaz added.
Suitably impressed, Shekhawat quickly slipped in a request: Why doesn’t she get us the permission for our annual function?
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
When you help someone deserving in any manner, the joy is doubled. You might have to throw your weight around to get the result. But it cannot be helped because without that, success is not possible. It is also very delightful to know that three more candidates could get admission. Three cheers for our 'good laaf' Club.

Sounded Out

Silence is golden

For the first time in 13 years, our laughter exercises were conducted without anyone laughing out loud. Complete silence was observed all through. We began midstream with ‘medium’ and ‘silent’ laughter, essentially doing away with the two noisy numbers that have traditionally marked the beginning of our daily exercises.
But it was for a good cause. The decibel count in the Garden had reached alarming levels ever since a rival laughter group had been seeking to register its presence with microphone and speakers blaring insanely every morning.
It was just a matter of time that somebody would raise an objection and lodge a complaint against them for all the ruckus and noise pollution they were causing.
That seems to have happened now. Who had complained, we can only guess. But effective today, a blanket ban has been imposed on the playing of loudspeakers and all other activities disturbing the morning quiet of the Garden.
This applies to us as well, but as Yusuf Rassiwala put it, not being able to laugh aloud is a small price to pay. “We have so many exercises to last us through an hour, what difference does it make if we drop the two initial numbers?”
Shekhawat agreed: "Why to antagonise anybody? Let us maintain peace and decorum, rather than take up cudgels with anybody. The ban is not targeted at us. But when a rule has been made, let us also abide by it. It is for everybody's good."
Of course, there were some like Arun Patil who, for good reasons, wanted to challenge the diktat, if only to assert their “right” to laugh any way they pleased. "Even the doctors tell you to laugh as loud as you can," Arun argued.
Ultimately, the detractors were made to understand that joy can also be derived from surrendering our rights in the larger interests of common good. Sure enough, as everybody observed, the Garden had turned a very pleasant and happier place this morning.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
Laughing loudly has its own rejuvenating benefits that cannot be replaced. Silent laughter is also beneficial. But in the larger interests of the community, if we have to forego some of our rights, it is advisable not to complain and be happy.

Rehearsal Time

Rehearsing a group song

After many false starts, preparations for the Club’s Annual Day function gathered momentum today. Tentatively, the date fixed is September 3 (a Saturday) and the venue, as usual, is the Garden’s China Hut.
Like last year, the programme for the evening is being conceived as a convivial get-together for member’s families and friends. Packed dinner would be served; but prior to that, there would be a two-hour session of variety entertainment, showcasing the hidden talents of our members in the performing arts.
In effect, there would be songs and dances,

Jyoti distributes 'orange barfi' from Nagpur

including solo numbers, duets and chorus singing, antaakshari and children’s dance (by member’s kids). Unlike last year, we would also have a 15-minute skit in which most (if not all) members will get to demonstrate their acting skills.
Inspired by a real life incident involving us in the Garden, the skit has been scripted as a comic whodunit with inputs from the members/ actors themselves. In that sense, it is an absolute original. But more importantly, it would employ the classical Brechtian devices of demolishing

Rehearsals for the skit in progress

the distance between audience and performer with a surprise element at every turn. This has become necessary given the constraints of space in the China Hut.
As things stand, this 15-minute skit has already captured everybody’s imagination and even Santosh Tyagi and Nahid Khan are conjuring the most original and hilarious lines imaginable. When it was Shekhawat’s turn to play a blundering cop probing the loss of a gold necklace, he was completely true to character. Sample this:
“Where do you live,” Shekhawat accosts a suspect (Manisha Kolhe).
The lady gives an address.
“Who stays with you,” he probes further.
“My husband,” she says truthfully.
Now Shekhawat is stumped. Pauses. "At what time does he leave home?” he blurts out giggling, instantly triggering a volley of laughter all around. Unable to hold herself, Nahid nearly falls off her chair.
If this is the line of investigation Shekhawat pursues, he could possibly lose his job oops! role. But then, who cares, so long as everybody is having a jolly good time.

Independence Day 2016

Niloufer Rassiwala leads the I-Day March around the Garden

With an string of gallantry medals glittering on his chest, Shekhawat today turned out in full Independence Day regalia and as per Big Laaf custom, saluted the national tricolour at the dot of eight. This brief but dramatic ceremony marked the beginning of today’s celebrations with Niloufer Rassiwala stepping up to lead the march around the Garden.
Over the years, the Independence Day (along with Republic Day) has come to occupy a special place in our Club calendar – not so much for the patriotic fervor but a sense of bonding it infuses among everyone in the Garden. This is one occasion when members and non-members – regulars and the not-so-regular, little children and the elderly, friends and strangers – all of them gather on a common platform under one banner in an expression of unity and solidarity. Today was no different.
This time though, the march past had to be curtailed to half owing to a slimy section

Shekhawat pulls off a smart naval salute

Refreshments for the participants

on the walking track (caused by stagnant rain water) in the outer reaches of the Garden.
Dilip Babani had brought the luddoos for refreshments that were to follow the march past and the singing of the national anthem. Earlier, tiny badges with the national emblem were distributed among the participants, thanks to our president, Mallika Kagzi. Unfortunately, she could not be present for the function today as she had to leave for Surat because of a medical emergency in the family.

Joint expression of unity and solidarity

Her absence robbed us of another thing. We had to do without tea.
We also missed the company of Siba Prasad Maitra, Karuna Waghmare, Geeta Latte – people who can be the life of any party or social gathering any time.
But that did not take away from the air of festivity, what with all the crazy pranks and practical jokes continuing non-stop, long after the march past was over.
The most touching moments though were when one after another, people posed solo with the national flag, eager to be photographed on their mobile phones. After all, how often do we get to hold aloft the Indian tricolor by ourselves?
That, by itself, is testimony to national pride -- something that effectively captured the spirit of India's 70th Independence Day celebration.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
August 15 is a historic date for us. In 1947, on this date, we achieved political independence. Those (like me) who were witness to the first Independence Day celebrations would know how costly the affair has been - in bloodshed and displacement of population. Economic and social independence is yet to be attained. We have to wait for these to happen. Till then, relax and enjoy whatever you have.

Limping Back

Dilip Babani explains why deer is the most clever animal

Just as things were limping back to normalcy, it rained heavily in the morning. Most of the regulars, including Arun Patil, Rukhsana Khan, Kiran Prakash, Santosh Tyagi and Geeta Latte could not make it to the Garden. The turnout was no more than 20 today.
Yet, that had scarcely dampened our spirits. For once, Mumtaz Jahan made an early appearance.

Karuna Waghmare

So did Karuna Waghmare, unusually perky and talkative all through the exercises. At one point she started counting aloud on her own in English to the utter confusion of those around her. At another point, she picked on a lady wearing a black top and addressed her as "Black Tiger". When she was told that no such animal exists, Waghmare (which literally means ‘tiger killer’) retorted confidently that black tigers can be found abroad.

Dhruv (seated) is much amused

“They are imported tigers,” she told the black-top lady matter-of-factly. “So that makes you a foreigner, not an Indian!”
The other bright spot of the morning was the visit of Dhruv Khadaria and his young yoga trainer friend, Abhishek Mistry. Dhruv happens to be the son of Chanda Khadaria, the newest entrant in Big Laaf. So amused was the boy by our laughter exercises that he simply could not hold himself from laughing his head off, much to his mother’s consternation.

Mumtaz wishes Zarina Khan (r) bon voyage

He now wants to join us for the exercises on a regular basis.
If that were not enough, Dilip Babani added to the merriment with a few off-the-cuff jokes. The one that got him the loudest laafs was when he tried to justify why the deer is the most ‘clever’ animal on earth. “In satya-yug, it got Lord Ram into trouble; now, in kal-yug, it has got Salman Khan into deep trouble.”
Earlier in the morning, Zarina Khan said her good-byes as she sets out on Hajj pilgrimage (scheduled between September 9 and 14). Today was her last day at the Garden before she boards the flight to Mecca and to celebrate the occasion, she distributed truffles among all present. We wished her bon voyage and asked her to pray for us as well.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
It is commendable that despite heavy rains, the members are turning up for their laughter session. This shows how much interest they take in the exercises which is quite rejuvenating. Good show. Keep it up and God bless you all.

Delight and Despair

Kadir Banoo

For those wondering where Kadir Banoo had disappeared, here’s a spot of good news. Her daughter in Delhi delivered a baby girl yesterday. And this morning Kadir sent her bahu, Salma with a box of luddoos to celebrate the new arrival.
“Kadir-ji is also in Delhi,” informed the daughter-in-law. “She is so excited that she could not wait to return to Mumbai and break the news to you all. Last evening she called me specifically to say that I should, without fail, carry a box of luddoos to the Garden and make the announcement in the Club.

Banoo Apa escorts Salma (r) in

She considers you people very close to her heart, as her own family.”
Banoo Apa, who escorted Salma to the Garden, revealed that the nawasi (maternal grand-daughter) is god-sent. “This is the first born in the family after 16 years of prayer and penance,” added Mumtaz Jahan, who knows Kadir well, on a personal level.
So have they decided on a name for the baby? “Don’t be silly,” retorted Salma airily. “She is not even 24 hours old. To us, she is a big blessing.

Celebrating the new arrival with luddoos

And we are still rejoicing."
In contrast, there was Nasir Putani Shah showing up after more than three months. He has been through a harrowing time all this while because of an aggravated lung condition.

Nasir Putani Shah

After a series of tests, including CT scan, he has been diagnosed with COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease -- that leaves him wheezing and breathless much of the time.
“I do not smoke, never did,” he said. “Earlier I used to chew tobacco but that, according to the doctors, is no cause for my condition. Now, if I am without medication, I cannot walk even two steps. So many times I have fallen down losing consciousness. And the worst part is that there is no cure for COPD. The doctors say that with medication, the problem can at best be controlled, not cured.”
Shah is convinced that the air pollution in Mumbai has put him to such misery. He is seriously contemplating leaving the city by the year-end and returning to his village in Bihar for good.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
The Big Laaf blog offers a study of contrast. The good news is the arrival of a new baby after 16 years which warranted a big celebration. On the other hand, one colleague is suffering from a chronic disease which appears to be incurable -- a victim of modern day pollution. Hope he finds life in his village peaceful and regains his health.

DAY 2011

Pic of the Week

FOREVER YOUNG: THE MOST SPORTING COUPLE AMONG US

Very nice photo. Very nice couple. God bless you both. --Dilip Babani

Hello! Today is Happy Friendship Day and not Happy Marriage Day or Women's Day or Valentine's Day. Under Modi's regime, loving in public is an offence. --Bihari Milwani

In Indian society where couples are shy to even hold hands in public, such PDA (public display of affection) is worth admiring. We can learn a thing or two from the Guptas. Salamat rahe ye jodi ye dua hai meri! Tu pyaar kar itna ki bhul jaye hum, kabhi Laila-Majnu aur Shirin-Farhad bhi hua karte the! --Kiran Prakash

Birthday Story

Pushpa gets her birthday bite from hubby Bijoy Gupta

Yesterday was Pushpa Gupta’s birthday. But she celebrated it today, on purpose. She came in late with husband Bijoy in tow and only upon spotting Shekhawat, did she confirm her order for snacks boxes with Vyanjan on phone. Clearly, had Shekhawat not been present, we would have been deprived of Pushpa’s birthday treat. It just confirmed a sneaky suspicion some of us had and thereby hangs a tale.
Shekhawat did not turn up yesterday. It seems he had a house warming ceremony somewhere to attend and gave the Garden a skip.

Shekhawat has the last laugh

Given his Peter Pan nature, he decided that since he would not be party to Pushpa’s birthday celebration, nobody should partake in her treat. After all, she happens to be his one-time saali!
So unknown to us, he called Pushpa up and managed to dissuade her from celebrating her birthday yesterday.

Celebration continues over hot tea

As per convention, we raised the fourth laugh after the exercises and waited in vain for the birthday girl to show up – only to return home disappointed. The joke was on us.
Now Shekhawat denies having made that call to Pushpa. He initially feigned ignorance when some of us confronted him early morning. “She was the one to call,” he remarked later, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “She wanted to know the turnout for the exercises these days and accordingly she would place her order for the snack boxes. I told her she must account for a minimum of 25 and that in any case, I would not be present in the Garden on Friday. This was all that happened.”
The sub-text is all too clear – more so, when Pushpa neither confirmed nor denied the story. A wink and a smile from her spoke louder than words.
Dilip Babani:
Happy Birthday, Pushpa-ji!
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali)
The story behind the belated birthday celebration shows the popularity Mr Shekhawat enjoys in our Big Laaf club. Good wishes to both Pushpa-ji and Shekhawat-ji.

Lest We Forget

Silent prayer for the departed soul

There was no music during the exercises today. We did not laugh during the Laughter Round. We started with the ‘silent laughter’ exercise instead. And at the end, a two-minute silence was observed in the memory of Laxmi Naidu.
A sense of loss pervaded the Club all through the morning as members tried to come to terms with her untimely death (see post of August 3) yesterday. In fact, her absence had become larger than when she was present in our midst.
A visibly dismayed Mohar Singh walked around aimlessly reminding everybody that he was the only one to wish her ‘Vannakam’ every morning and how she would invariably correct him by saying ‘Namaskaram’. “Such a peaceful lady she was,” he said. “I could never have imagined that she had so much of suffering inside her?”
Nahid Khan pointed out that by nature, Lakshmi Naidu was an intensely private person. “But I could make out that behind her good-naturedness, she had a lot of grief bottled up. Such is fate... But then, what could we have done had she shared her problems with us?

Sense of loss pervades the Club

Could we have reversed fate?”
“I have always maintained that we should be frank and open about our medical problems,” countered Arun Patil. “I do not know if she had even gone for chemotherapy. Had she discussed her cancer issue or the treatment she was taking, who knows some of us would have advised an alternate line of treatment which could have prolonged her life.”
Banoo Apa informed that she had lost her sister to breast cancer years back and she could well empathise with Laxmi Naidu on the lung infection and respiratory problems in her last days. “The pain is unbearable, believe me” she said. “Not only is the person affected in agony but all those around her would have to suffer out of sheer helplessness.”
Most others like Shekhawat, Karuna Waghmare, Kiran Prakash, Santosh Tyagi and Swati Punjabi listened in silence, much too bewildered to react. But everyone agreed that a good soul like Laxmi did not deserve to suffer any more and that she is now in a much happier place.
Siba Prasad Maitra:
Extremely sorry to learn about the sad demise of Laxmi Naidu. She was a smiling lady and we will miss her very much in the Garden. May her soul rest in peace.
Bhaswati Bose:
We are going to miss her badly. Apart from being a smiling presence in the garden, she had accompanied us to Darjeeling and Gangtok. I cannot forget how we enjoyed together. She road a yak also -- something even I did not dare to do.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
The sad demise of Laxmi Naidu has come as a great shock to me. She was always calm and composed. Her sudden departure has left a deep void in our lives -- both in Big Laaf and of her near and dear ones. May God grant peace to her soul and the courage to her family to bear the irreparable loss.

R.I.P. Laxmi Naidu

LAXMI NAIDU: 1946 - 2016

Laxmi Naidu is no more. She passed away this morning at 4’o clock at her son’s place in Veera Desai Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai. Unknown to many, she was suffering from breast cancer for the past two years. She was 70.
According to her son, Dr Rajiv Naidu, the end was peaceful and painless. “She had developed breathlessness and chest pain for about eight months. Because of the cancer which had spread in the initial stages, her lungs were badly affected. Moreover, she had a heart condition that had got aggravated because of high BP. Ultimately she succumbed to her ailments.”
It is likely that she had a premonition that the worst was near. “Just day-before-yesterday, in the evening, she asked if I could take her to the Garden," her son narrated. "‘I want to meet my friends in Garden No 4,’ she had said. It was decided that the following morning, I would take her to the Garden at 8:00 a.m., the time you guys finish with your exercises. But that was not to be. I found she had developed acute breathing problems overnight and was unable to even sit up.”
Laxmi had been one of the most low-profile and much loved members of the Club. Always smiling, she was never known to utter a harsh word or even raise her voice, whatever the provocation. Once in a while, she treated us to toffees and lozenges and on her last birthday, barely three months back, (see post of May 4) she cut a cake with us and celebrated with batata wada, dhokla and assorted eats. After that day, she stopped coming to the Garden.
We shall sorely miss her. ALWAYS. May her soul rest in peace.
Kiran Prakash:
Very sad. May her soul rest in peace. I pray to God that He gives enough strength to her near and dear ones to bear this biggest loss of one's life. Mother is the only God whom we can touch, feel and talk to. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family. We have lost a very kind-hearted member and friend.
Renu Babani (from Canada):
A beautiful soul being taken care of by Him. Better than suffering, she is at peace now by His Grace. May He give comfort to her family during this difficult time. God Bless.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
Laxmi Naidu was a simple, smiling and calm member of the Club. Her death has come as a great shock. God's will is SUPREME. I pray her soul rest in peace.

More Reasons to Rejoice

Arun Patil celebrates birthday

Arun Patil turned a year older today. Out of hospital (ref post of July 27) last Sunday, he was at Yusuf Rassiwala’s place for the Eid bash the same evening and this morning, was with us at the Garden to usher in his 63rd birthday with sweets, puri-bhaji and hot tea.
Such is the easy camaraderie he shares with Big Laaf that for once, Swati Panjabi volunteered to stay awake all night and prepare the puri-bhaji packages for him at home. She would probably not have done this for anybody else and in the bargain,

Mumtaz Jahan

we were spared the usual pre-packed stuff we get to have from some eatery -- except for the barfis, which Arun picked up from a neighboring sweets’ shop. Mallika Kagzi thoughtfully pitched in with hot home-brewed tea.
Meanwhile, Mumtaz Jahan has earned another feather in her colourful cap following her appointment as vice-president of the Maharashtra State Council of the International Human Rights Protection Council for three years. Congratulating her, Shekhawat read out aloud the appointment order for us yesterday and stressed on we having "the privilege of a very influential member" in our midst who enjoys direct access to the Chief Justice of the Maharashtra High Court (sic) and state Chief Secretary among others.
Mumtaz, on her part, has offered her services in helping resolve whatever problems we might approach her with. And to celebrate her rise to the position of preeminence, she distributed kaju-katlis to all present.
Kiran Prakash:
Happy Birthday Arun. We wish you many happy returns of the day. My special thanks to Swati Punjabi for her neatly packed, delicious puri-bhaji. Even after almost two years with Big Laaf I keep getting surprises. It is unbelievable that Swati can go to such an extent of remaining awake whole night making 150 puris and bhaji and so neatly packing it. When did we last hear anybody doing like this? In hospitality and nurturing relationships, not many can match Swati.
Dilip Babani:
Happy Birthday dear Arun-bhai. Very nice mithai and puri bhaji. Mallika made nice tea. May God bless you.
Swati Panjabi:
Thanks for the appreciation, Kiran Prakash. Aap aise appreciate karte raho. It was a pleasure cooking for everyone. Will do so in the future as well.
Lt Col Angaad Singh (from Mohali):
Happy Birthday Arun-ji. We wish you a very happy and healthy life. My mouth is watering on reading the tale of eats made by Swati-ji. Hope some day I will also be able to join your bandwagon.