Picnic is On

Shekhawat (r) collecting cash for Saturday picnic

Shekhawat is back doing what he does best – organizing a picnic for the Club.
Already 21 members have signed up for the trip to Saina Resort on November 26 (this Saturday). Shekhawat requires nine more people in the next 24 hours to join his bandwagon if we are to avail of the ‘group discount’ he has negotiated with the resort – failing which, the picnic will have to be pushed to a later date. He is not averse to outsiders (read non- members) joining us, though they may have to be charged a 'premium' over what members are paying.
Going by popular sentiment, Shekhawat has agreed to pay the transportation (a 40-seater bus has been tentatively booked) costs while other expenses shall be borne equitably by the rest of us.

Swati Panjabi (r) with her bag of goodies

This puts to rest a raging dispute that had consumed the Club (ref post of November 22) for the best part of the past two weeks. In effect, this will be the first club picnic wherein members would stand to benefit by a double discount – one, that is offered by the resort and the other, courtesy Shekhawat.
That apart, Saina Resort would be one major picnic destination within city limits we have not visited so far from the Club. The resort is about

Bereaved: Tara Chand Seth

a two-hour drive from the Garden and is located on the Madh-Marve Road, near Malad. It boasts of an amusement park, waterfall, swimming pool, rain dance showers, water slides, etc. and the menu for breakfast, lunch and high tea comprises veg and (rather, unusually) non-veg dishes.
With preparations on in full swing, Swati Panjabi added a touch of sweetness by distributing chocolates and candies her son-in-law has brought down from the U.S. This is one simple-minded lady beyond compare who has constantly been giving, drawing us all together as her own family and expecting nothing in return. This can of course, be embarrassing at times, but such is Swati – selfless, even reckless but golden-hearted and generous to a fault.
In passing, here’s news for those who have been wondering where and why Tara Chand Seth had disappeared last week. Well, he is in Delhi, mourning the demise of his younger sister. She had been ailing for some time. Tara Chand left by the first available flight the same evening he was informed of the death. Let us pray for the departed soul.