Curtain Raiser

Bijoy Gupta spells out his picnic plans

Bijoy Kumar Gupta kept his word. He began the morning where he left yesterday and presented a colorful curtain raiser on what he meant by “putting Shekhawat on top of Lal Qila” till the 26th of this month – the day the latter is supposed to take us on an all- expenses- paid picnic.
The best part was that Shekhawat enjoyed every moment being the cynosure of all eyes and willingly played up to Gupta’s rip-rollicking drama of mock veneration.
Before the exercises were over, Gupta ensured that everybody would stay back for "a meeting" on the November 26 picnic. He even joined Shekhawat in his rail-gaadi round, something he has always been loath to, what with all those derisive one-liners on Asaram Bapu.
Once we were done with the exercises, Gupta rushed to Shekhawat and respectfully escorted him to a bench he had got vacated moments earlier. Clearly, Shekhawat was made the ‘chief guest’ as no one else was allowed to share his bench.

Gupta seeks Shekhawat's approval

Thereafter, Gupta went on to announce the programme he had in mind for the picnic day. He said for starters, we would have a fashion show with television cameras and reporters from national dailies in attendance. “I have many contacts in the media to organize such a grand coverage,” he assured us. “Shekhawat shall be our guest of honour and he would crown the beauty queens with his own hands!”
Shekhawat’s eyes popped out. Suddenly he was on his feet,

Siba Maitra compliments Shekhawat

demanding that “there should also be 3D”. This time, Gupta was foxed. “Don’t you know 3D? It means Dinner, Drinks and Dance!” Shekhawat said jubilantly.
“Done,” Gupta agreed. “But before that, we shall have two containers, one having chits with the names of boys present and the other with the names of girls. You will have to dip your fingers into one container or the other to select your dance partner.”
“But where are you getting boys and girls?” Yusuf Rassiwala interjected. “We are all buddas and buddis here!” Gupta was unflappable: “Who says we are old? We are all young boys and girls. We are living our second childhood now.”
Well, that’s the spirit. On this there can be no contest.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
We are young people at heart and this is proved by our actions. We exercise first and then fill our bellies. Who says we are oldies? We are still fighting fit and can compete with any youngster in belly filling. However, Gupta-ji, please note: "Hunuz Dilli door ast"! Delhi is still far off.