Magar Much!

ON THE BACKFOOT: Shekhawat (c) trying to make sense of the aggression around

The picnic imbroglio is getting to be… not too much or three much, but magar much – a stupid, intractable crocodile. This has been the sole subject of discussion in the Club for days on end, as if nothing else in the world matters any more. Our very existence now seems to depend upon the ‘free picnic’ we are supposed to go on, on November 26.
Shekhawat had made the mistake of offering to treat the Club to this picnic when he heard of being allotted a flat under a MHADA lottery scheme (ref posts of October 25 and 31). This was his way of sharing his joy with us on a potential windfall. Sadly, the flat turned out a disappointment and he had to reject the MHADA offer.
We all know this and ideally, the matter should have been put to rest at that point. But there are elements in the Club who would not let go Shekhawat – this, after extracting a grand Diwali party from him.

Khatoon Baig being mobilised to join picnic

With Bijoy Gupta also making a song and dance over this, the effort has been to shame Shekhawat for “not keeping his word of honour”. That no MHADA flat ever came through is being conveniently forgotten.
Clearly Shekhawat has some difficulty, obviously financial, and we must respect that gracefully.

Banoo Apa's morning 'tea party'

He tried to wriggle out of the situation by offering to selectively sponsor 10 members (another blunder) for the picnic. That was rejected. With pressure mounting, he offered to ‘donate’ Rs5,000 to the Club fund (a third mistake) and that too fell through. Now he is stuck with a strange commitment (fourth mistake) to bear our transportation costs for the picnic, as though he must pay a penalty for being nice to us. This is rather unfortunate and completely avoidable. It is not even funny. Nobody should ever be coerced into doing anything against his/ her wishes.
In all this, the only redeeming event of the morning was Banoo Apa turning up with hot tea and the famous Karachi Bakery biscuits from Hyderabad. She had gone there to attend a high profile celebrity wedding last week. Trust her to have kept us in mind for this delightful treat today.
Geeta Latte:
True love is born out of understanding.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
The picnic can wait. Enjoy the morning hot cups of tea and relax. Do not hanker too much after the free picnic, free transport, donations, etc. Be satisfied and enjoy whatever is with you.