‘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.