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.