‘Gulf Returned’

Kiran Prakash returns

In the old days, there used to be a rare breed of Indian travellers called ‘England Returned’. Over time, that got broad-based to ‘Phoren Returned’. Thereafter, we got into the era of ‘Gulf Returned’ -- a distinction meant for those who had traveled to the Middle East, the land of liquid gold, and returned. Today, you do not even have to go beyond the Gold Souk of Dubai and can still qualify as a 'Gulf Returned’ – or ‘Gulfie’ if you will.
This time around, Kiran Prakash had gone to Abu Dhabi also, but what seemed to matter most to members of the Club was his visit to Dubai and the amount of gold he had picked up along the way (as though scraps of the yellow metal were lying littered on the streets).

Gold-wrapped chocolates for everyone

So today, when he walked into the Garden, many saw him as a new-age Santa Claus, loaded with glittering gifts and promise.
From Bhaswati Bose to Kajal Babani, Geeta Latte and Karuna Waghmare, everybody had pestered him for 24-carat gold ornaments (nothing less) before he had left. And over WhatsApp, they all kept pushing their luck for assorted earrings, nose studs, finger-rings, chains… Some specified the weight – preferably over 10 grams.
Even Yusuf Rassiwala joined the fray after having visions of becoming a Bappi Lahiri and made a fervent request to “spare” some gold for him also. “A gold watch will do,” he conceded at one stage.

Banoo Apa (in red) hosts tea party

A WhatsApp message from Dubai saying that the gold was “not of good quality” was to only bring Kiran Prakash an avalanche of missives from Mumbai suggesting, in short, “Even bad quality gold will do, so long as you get us some on your way back.” There was no mention of payment though.
In all this, only Banoo Apa had the presence of mind to greet Kiran Prakash on his return and celebrate over a round of hot tea and biscuits. This was also her way of welcoming him as the new secretary of the Club – a post she had vacated last Friday at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). In that sense, her treat was a double celebration for all.
Post Script: Tomorrow's picnic hangs on the balance as rains have struck once again. It has been pouring continuously since last night and with no signs of a let up, chances are we would have to call off the picnic. This morning Mallika Kagzi gave us the option to defer the outing by a day, weather permitting. Even so, the very real possibility of having to wade through swirling slush and muck on the beach does not sound like a good idea at all.