Generating Heat

In the midst of the heated debate

Shekhawat storms out

Slowly but surely, winter is creeping in. The mornings are no longer bright and sunny. Shekhawat, Bhaswati Bose, Razia Khan and a few others are already sporting woolens to beat the early morning chill. Conscious efforts are also being made to generate heat by raking up some stupid dispute from time to time.
The latest today is the question of enforcing discipline – whether we should be a stickler for rules or if a certain amount of leeway is permissible? The issue has driven a wedge in the Club with one section insisting that no allowance be made for those who are not serious about the exercises and even if we were to lose some members, there should be zero tolerance towards the undisciplined.
On the other hand, there are those like Shekhawat, Fehmida Khan, Santosh Tyagi, etc. who argue that we are not school kids who need to be disciplined or dealt with an iron hand and that the exercises are just a pretext to meet and socialize with friends. “I don’t even have the liberty to walk around the Garden without being physically dragged into the exercises,” Fahmida complained.
“Who stops you from doing your walks after the exercises?” countered Arun Patil. “Else you can come before the exercises if walking is so important to you.”
Arun has the support of Yusuf Rassiwala, Nahid Khan, Kiran Prakash, etc. who are concerned more about decorum and propriety than maintaining the membership numbers. “What impression do people get if we show ourselves to be so casual and flippant?” is their general contention. “Besides, it is for our own good that we be regular and punctual and do not fool around during the exercises.”
“What nonsense!” protested Shekhawat, storming out of the debate. “I am fed up of rules. Who has given anybody the authority to make rules? This is not a military parade ground…”
A middle ground will now have to be found between our Liberals and Conservatives.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
Discipline is important for every organisation. However, our Club is different. The discipline and indiscipline -- a tonic to an extent -- is tolerable. So be within limits and continue smiling and laafing.