Saina Resort Picnic

Shekhawat with his 'Group of 36' at SAINA RESORT

If there were a measure for human stamina, our Club members would doubtless come out tops. From 7:30 a.m., the time 36 of them headed for the picnic at Saina Resort (ref yesterday’s post), they had been on their toes (well, most of them) without a moment’s respite in between.
They clowned about continually, joked and played funny games, splashed in the pool, stuffed themselves crazy, did the rain dance, raced down water slides like kids… also played two rounds of Housie and were still not done after 12 hours.

Dilip Babani and Yusuf Rassiwala

On the way back home, they played antakshari in the bus, lustily belting out film songs one after another like there would be no tomorrow!
In all this, there were a couple of highlights that would remain forever etched in our memory. The first was a comical Petticoat Game Karuna Waghmare introduced us to.

Shekhawat in petticoat

She brought her own petticoat, which Dilip Babani offered to try out first and believe it or not, actually succeeded in getting himself into it. But Shekhawat failed and got the petticoat in a twist while struggling to extricate his arms and ending up nearly shirtless!

Readying for the plunge

Only Shekhawat is capable of such a feat. This was just an add-on to the spectacle of grown-up men having to wear the pink petticoat and being made to slip a coin (without looking down) between their legs and aimed at a cup below. Those who failed had to crow like a demented rooster – the louder the better.

Rain dance

Kiran Prakash meets Khatoon
Baig after 50 years

The second and even more hilarious event of the day was the classic Passing the Parcel game, but with a naughty twist.
Without getting into its intricacy, suffice to say that we were witness to some of the most bizarre acts that none of us would be caught dead doing. Imagine Arun Patil singing Saala Main Toh Sah’b Ban Gaya in English or Renu Babani reciting ‘Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star’ in Hindi. Or Yusuf Rassiwala serenading his blushing wife with a romantic filmi ditty. Or Geeta Latte singing a Konkani song and Kanta Sharma, a bhajan, both for the first time. Or Banoo Apa having to convert the racy Fevicol item track to a slow-paced classical number…
Kiran Prakash enacted a situation where he was meeting his love interest (played by Khatoon Baig) after 50 years. Manisha Kolhe played a victim of eve teasing with Fahmida Khan acting a desperate roadside romeo. Minutes earlier, Fahmida pulled off another masterly act: an anxious groom lifting the veil of a shy, newly married bride (Zarina Khan) and mouthing the most cheesy lines imaginable!
Don’t miss the slide show of these memorable moments, tomorrow.
Kiran Prakash:
This was one picnic we will not forget in a long time. Enjoyed to the hilt. All thanks to Dilip for recommending the place and Shekhawat-ji for making reservations and organising the transport. Every minute of those 12 hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. was meticulously planned by Bhaswati and Kajal to entertain us. What began with diving in the pool, followed by rain dance, dropping a coin through the petticoat, Housie, songs, dances, mimicry and jokes ended with antakshari when the bus had almost reached our door step. Kudos to all for their enthusiasm and active participation in the activities which made it a great day.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
It is nice that the whole group had gone on the picnic and everyone enjoyed the day. It speaks well of the brotherhood of Club members. Be happy and keep making merry. I feel jealous of you all. I do not know when I shall be able to join you next.