Capless Fiasco

Arun Patil (file photo)

All our plans about exercising today without caps fell apart. Clearly, the women cannot do without hiding their un-dyed hair under the cap. Likewise, the men have also learned how easy it is to look young by sporting the blue cap.

Banoo Apa celebrates Arun's absence today with pedas

And thus, everyone came to the Garden with their caps on – barring Shekhawat, Santosh Tyagi, Nahid Khan and a few others.
The ‘capless caper’ was hatched at Shekhawat’s house party last evening when Arun Patil called to inform that he would not be able to attend the exercises today.

Kanta Sharma returns from
Delhi with special sweets

This came as a huge relief for all those who resent Arun’s authoritarian bullying and insistence that we adhere to Club discipline. He is always the one to pull up members for not wearing their caps – even sending repeat offenders away till they either find their cap or purchase a new one from him.
So his absence today was supposed to be a cause for celebration. And what better way to register our newfound ‘freedom’ than showing up without the caps?

Shekhawat's daughter and wife perform at his party last evening

Or so, was it decided at Shekhawat’s place yesterday. In fact, Banoo Apa was so happy on hearing Arun Patil taking the morning off that she announced right away she would treat the Club to sweets in the morning. She kept her word. She distributed pedas to celebrate Arun’s absence.
But things did not pan out the way many would have liked. Call it convenience or force of habit, almost everyone showed up with their caps neatly perched on their heads. Ironically, even Banoo Apa had her cap on. Worse still, Mallika Kagzi assumed Arun’s role and began upbraiding the oddballs who were without their caps. “You cannot do this,” she threatened. “Wearing the cap is compulsory. This is Club rule.” Seeing this unusual change of stance, Rukhsana Khan could not help remarking: “Mallika has become the Arun Patil today.” It wasn’t funny at all.

Shekhawat (seated foreground) presides over a memorable 'house party' yesterday

Bihari Milwani:
What Arun conveyed was that we should not wear cap at the party. But while doing exercises, we must wear a cap.
Dilip Babani:
Shekhawat-ji gave very nice party at home -- wine, rum and champagne were very good. All enjoyed. We had nice dances and songs. Thank you Shekhawat-ji for the party. One thing about our Club's Baba-ji: He did not dance. We want to see the dance of our beloved Baba-ji .

House Party

Shekhawat triggers discussions on today's evening program

Today Shekhawat made us an offer we could not refuse. He has just landed an exponential hike in his monthly pension and is thrilled to bits – more so, because he had neither made any effort nor asked for it. It simply came upon him like a windfall. And to share his joy, he has invited the whole Club to his house at 5:00 pm today, for high tea.
Much as nobody would want to disappoint him, the suddenness of this invite took us all by surprise. Many were already committed elsewhere and tried persuading him to postpone the party and/or change the venue. “What’s wrong in having the party in the Garden next Saturday?” pleaded Nahid Khan.
“Najma Sayyed is in hospital again,” announced Banoo Apa. “We are holding a prayer meeting for her this evening. The lady is suffering a lot. This is her third hip-bone surgery in the past few months. I'll be able to come only after the prayer meeting, around 6:00 pm.”
Fahmida Khan changed tack and tried getting aggressive. “What high tea are you calling us for?”

Disposing left-over toffees from Republic Day

she demanded of Shekhawat. “You are inviting us to your home

Karuna Waghmare

on a great occasion and you should ideally be treating us to not tea but dinner with chicken roast, biryani, kofta, mutton kebabs… Do I have spell out the menu for you? And what about drinks?”
Peculiarly, this was music to Shekhawat’s ears. “Oph coursh, oph coursh,” he chanted. “My daughter-in-law has just brought me English rum from a trip to England. There is enough whishhky also for the gents. For the ladies log, I can offer gin and lime, red wine, vodka-Sprite… whatever you want. I have sparkling wine also. Or would you people like to have champagne?”
Clearly, Shekhawat was in no mood to change his program. He has already made arrangements for the evening and even invited some of his close friends and relatives to join the celebration. It seems yesterday he had sounded his front-door neighbor on the party and for some reason this lady imagined that it would be the same evening. So all evening, she kept vigil, checking for the tell-tale clutter of footwear outside Shekhawat’s door and finally retired to bed at night, hungry and disappointed.
That front-door lady happens to be Karuna Waghmare.
Bihari Milwani:
Do celebrate today before the budget increases costs. One doesn't know if the budget day-after tomorrow would increase the pension amount further.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
An armed forces person is always an armed forces person - whether he is serving or retired. Give him a little opportunity and he is not just joyful, but overjoyed. Shekhawat is no exception. His brethren have been fighting for the rise in pension. Everyone got some money and is happy. So the increase is considered a windfall. Relish the party and be happy.

DAY 2150

Pic of the Week

THE RESULT OF WATCHING TOO MUCH 'DANGAL'!

Kitna pyar hai dono beheno meih! --Dilip Babani

They are the Geetah and Babeetah of the Garden! --Bhaswati Bose

Quest for Happiness

Karun Sharma is at the far-end -- wearing a jacket

Session in progress: China Hut is packed to the rafters

What causes happiness?
Subjective as it might be, the question formed the core of the second training session (ref post of January 11) convened by the Club's in-house life coach, Karun Sharma today. Responses ranged from Kiran Prakash’s equanimous “I find happiness in everything” to Nahid Khan’s fervent “Coming to the Garden gives me maximum happiness” to Mr Purohit’s sagacious mantra, “It is up to us whether we allow ourselves to be happy or unhappy.”
But this was merely scratching the surface as we slowly submitted ourselves, one by one, to be hand-held by Sharma through a process of self-discovery and realisation. “Do not allow external factors to dictate your state of mind,” he exhorted. “Find the source of your happiness within yourself. For example, would you be able to identify one reason for being happy this morning? It could be something as basic as successfully flushing your bowel.”
Dilip Babani bravely declared that seeing his wife’s face when he woke up made him happy. Mumtaz Jahan affirmed that being in good health made her happy while Rukhsana Khan, in like vein, confessed to the realization of “being able to walk again” bringing her happiness. (She is a paraplegic.) Naseem Khan said getting to meet friends in the Garden made her happy and Swati Panjabi announced that she was overjoyed to find Club members very welcoming towards her. “I am happy to meet you today,” Shanti Singh’s husband told Sharma.
On and on the confessions continued till Nahid, in all simplicity, deduced that being positive is the surest way to stay happy. “I go to somebody’s house and they don’t offer me tea,” she said by way of example. “Rather than being upset or critical, if I am understanding – maybe, they’d have run out of milk or tea leaves – would that not put me at peace? What do I gain from thinking ill of anybody or being negative, except for immersing myself in grief?”
At this point, Sharma tossed a teaser: “Does success lead to happiness? Or does happiness lead to success?” That was to instantly drive a wedge into the group and in the opprobrium that followed Yusuf Rassiwalla declared the discussion, inconclusive as it was, be closed for the day and carried forward the next time we meet.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
It is good to have such educative sessions which stimulate the brain cells. I feel happiness is a state of mind. One can feel happy on small acts of kindness. I had a friend who was bed-ridden for a long time. Yet I found him always smiling. He never complained that the Almighty had punished him. Swati Panjabi is very happy whenever she taps the back of a person with force while doing exercises. Positive thinking helps one to find happiness everywhere.

Reflections

Reliving childhood

As is the norm after every major event in the Club, the morning today was taken up by reflecting on the Republic Day celebrations yesterday. The overall feeling of joie de vivre – the pride in raising the national tricolor, Yusuf Rassiwala turning up in a regal paithani suit, the unrehearsed patriotic number by Shanti Singh and the spontaneity

Reflecting on Republic Day

of it all dominated conversations after the exercises.
“Everything went off well,” observed Yusuf R, who had led the march past yesterday. “It’s funny how we missed out on all this pomp and ceremony when we were young. Now that age is not on our side, all this is coming to us. We seem to be catching up on lost time.”
The insightful comment was lost while the exercises were on, but it verily echoes the sentiments of most of us who take to the Club like a second home. On the face of it, the statement also betrays a tinge of regret; but when turned around, it also leaves us with a sense of being blessed,

Nahid Khan is in red -- fourth from left (and from right)

unlike most seniors these days who spend their twilight years in loneliness and neglect.
Nahid Khan makes no secret of how Big Laaf has proved “liberating” for her in many ways. Not only is she among the most punctual and regular of members, she does not even miss a single function, a picnic or even an outstation trip, whatever it might cost her.
“My parents discouraged girls from going to school,” she reveals. “My husband kept me virtually under house arrest. Only after his demise did I step out of the house and learn to face the world.”
Others may not be as frank, but turns out that for many of them, Club activities provide the only ‘release’ they have come to recognise and enjoy. At the same time, they are all conscious that time is against them. Still, Nahid has the last word when she jokingly quipped today: “Old age is knocking at our doors – barring that of Shekhawat. He is the only one among us to have youth knocking at his door!”

Republic Day - 2017

Highlights of the celebration at the Garden this morning. Enjoy!

Kiran Prakash:
Every moment of the day's activities has been thoughtfully captured. Covers all present and the party outside the Garden too. Blog Monster, you have the skill to click those unguarded moments.

Last Minute Preparations

Yusuf Rassiwala consults members on Republic Day preparations

With less than 24 hours remaining, the Club suddenly woke up to the realization that tomorrow is Republic Day. Beyond Mallika Kagzi picking up a few tiny metallic tricolor badges, nothing had been done for this annual celebration in the Garden. We were caught completely unprepared.
Fortunately, the jhanda (flag) and the danda (flag pole) from last year's Independence Day could be traced to Arun Patil. The traditional march past around the Garden would be led by either the youngest or the oldest of our members reporting tomorrow. And as usual, Shekhawat would perform the ceremonial salute of the national tricolor.
The ceremony would start around 8:00 a.m. – immediately after the exercises.
Separately Mallika instructed everybody to come dressed “preferably in white”. As for the sound system, it turns out that Harish Wadhwa (who routinely takes care of this requirement) is out of Mumbai – in Bharuch. He would return on January 27. So some other arrangement will have to be made now.
This left us with one last major task: providing for refreshments at the end of the ceremony. Our backroom boys and girls put their heads together and after some deliberation,

Fahmida Khan force-feeds Yusuf R with matthi

Bhaswati's turn to be fed matthi by Fahmida Khan

Dilip Babani firmed up on the menu. Mallika would be getting the tea from home. Yusuf Rassiwala advised not to be too extravagant on this count as we are constrained by a budget. Besides, many ‘outsiders’ (read non-members) would be partaking in the eats and they cannot be turned away.
Earlier in the morning, Yusuf R read out the decision of the managing committee yesterday (see post) on the allocation of budgetary resources for various Club activities. Siba Prasad Maitra sought an allocation for philanthropic activities – even if it were to be one-off and contributory. Banoo Apa urged restarting the popular Pehchaan Kaun contest, while Khatoon Baig pressed for funds to revive the practice of gifting ‘personalised calendars’ on birthdays.
Everybody agreed that such symbolic gestures from the Club infused a sense of pride among members and gave Big Laaf a distinctive identity.

Divorced!

Shekhawat is distraught

Shekhawat is a troubled man. None of his four saalis (sisters-in-law) has been turning up at the Garden for the past many days, thereby leaving him lonely and crestfallen. Today, out of sheer exasperation, he declared loud and clear, “I have given talaaq (divorce) to all of them!”
Yesterday, when we raised a fourth laugh after the exercises, it was to compliment Shekhawat on how he was bravely coping with his heartbreak. “They have abandoned me since last Friday,” he lamented. “I shall have to disown them.”
The statement was still in the realm of uncertainty as knowing Shekhawat, he could easily change his mind any moment. But with the announcement this morning, we were assured that he was conclusively bringing closure to his tenuous relationship with the four ladies.

Managing Committee meeting in progress

He did it deliberately so that the message would be conveyed to them in no uncertain terms.
But there is a catch: What about the property he has supposedly written off to them in his will? Shekhawat dismissed such talk as “rubbish” and that he was not obliged to bequeath anything to any saali. Mallika Kagzi warned him that he cannot afford to be so casual. “You will have to pay maintenance,” she tried scaring him. But Shekhawat refused to be cowed down.
Meanwhile, Kiran Prakash called a meeting of the Managing Committee of the Club in order to draw up a calendar of events to be organized under the aegis of Big Laaf. This was more of a budget allocation exercise, the idea being to judiciously utilize the Club funds for common good.
With Yusuf Rassiwala and Shekhawat in the chair, 11 important events were identified for 2017 – starting with Republic Day and Holi and culminating with Eid and Christmas. There was also a proposal to invest in a sound system with mic and speakers. A decision on this has however, been kept on hold.
Bihari Milwani:
Is it that the four saalis of Shekhawat-ji have found a new jija-ji?

Return from Exile

Devotees seek Kiran 'Baba' Prakash's blessings

Kiran Prakash was back today from his self-imposed exile (ref post of January 10), far removed from the hurry-burry of civilization. For nearly two weeks, he remained incommunicado in the cool confines of a pagoda, meditating and learning how to clear his mind of toxic clutter. This process of “self-transformation through self-observation” is what vipassana is all about – seeing things for what they really are.
Much of this makes no sense to most of us who were expecting to see the ‘self-transformation’ in the form of a bearded face, unkempt hair and the disarming look hermits usually sport.

Fahmida Khan gets us
matthi from Mahim

Yusuf Rassiwala and Santosh Tyagi had already been referring to Kiran Prakash as “sadhu baba” in his absence and today, Nahid Khan added the honorific, “Swami-ji” to his name.
But, as it turned out, Kiran Prakash appeared no different from what we had known him before he left on his spiritual quest. Still, he did not disappoint. He raised his hands benevolently and blessed all those who bowed their heads in reverence, hoping to gather some pearls of wisdom from him.

Little Gultafida signs up for Rajasthan trip next month

Bhaswati Bose had warned everybody beforehand not to talk altu-faltu in front of “Kiran Baba”, which might disturb his composure.
Dilip Babani, arguably the most religious-minded among us, eagerly rushed up with folded hands, expecting to hear a life- altering sermon early morning. An equally fervent Siba Prasad Maitra urged everyone to take the “charan dhool (dust from the feet) of the holy man”. Kajal Babani regretted not getting a garland to felicitate the enlightened soul.
At the other extreme was Bijoy Gupta, who thankfully did not turn up today. He had predicted that Kiran Prakash would be so transformed on his return that we could merrily get away by abusing, even assaulting him: “Beat him up, tear his clothes, call him names… do whatever you like with him for he will not react. He has conquered anger!”
Gupta will no doubt be terribly disappointed when he finds that nothing has changed, outwardly.
Post Script: Yesteryear songwriter and poet, Naqsh Lyallpuri passed away yesterday. He was a neighbor of Razia Khan and Rukhsana Khan at Vaibhav Palace, Oshiwara and used to often drop by in the Garden. At times, he struck casual conversations with Yusuf Rassiwala and other members. But of late, he had been down with a hip fracture from which he could not recover. He was 88.
Bihari Milwani:
Beware! This Kiran Baba is not real. Please ask him to produce the Convocation Certificate before awarding him the title of 'Baba'.
Kiran Prakash:
I feel people should have tried out Bijoy Gupta's suggestion to know my reaction. That would have been the acid test for me too, for my benefit. Sabka bhala ho, sabka kalyan ho... Let all be happy.

DAY 2143

Pic of the Week

STUDY THE TWO MEN CLOSELY: WHO IS THE CHILD?

Three generations are on a walk! --Bhaswati Bose

Nanhe munne bachche teri mutthi mein kiya hai? --Bihari Milwani

Lovely picture! --Geeta Latte

Plainspeak

Yusuf Rassiwala (c) speaks to a captive audience on certain ground rules of BIG LAAF

Today’s party was necessary. More than to celebrate the unlocking of our bank accounts (ref post of January 18), it was an expression of solidarity towards Big Laaf and what we have stood for.

Mr Purohit addresses the Club

Home truths from Dr Farooq Khan

It was an occasion for some plain speaking also.
After the exercises, Yusuf Rassiwala gathered all members together and spoke of what it has taken us to salvage not only our funds (from the bank), but also our self-respect. “Some of you may be under the impression that the money with the Club is refundable,” he said. “It is NOT. This is subscription money and not a loan. Nor is it an investment nor security deposit nor cash entrusted to us for safe-keeping. Membership subscription is not refunded by any Club anywhere in any circumstance.”
He added that no member should be under the mistaken belief that when he/she quits the Club, he/ she would get the money back – even if it were to be in the form of a donation. “As on date, the Club owes nobody anything,” Yusuf R emphasized.

Today's grand party hosted by the Club

“We will not stop you if you want to exercise and still not pay your subscription fee of Rs50 a month. But you will be treated as non-member and not be allowed to join us for the Club parties and other activities.”
Banoo Apa’s husband, who had come to congratulate us today, joined in by exhorting us to remain united and preserve the “beautiful family” that Big Laaf has come to be. “It is natural you will have differences from time to time,” said Muhammed Farooq Khan. “This happens. But then, speak out upfront rather than talk behind people’s backs. Indulging in petty groupism serves no useful purpose. I am sure you will be heard by the seniors.”
Another well-wisher, Mr Purohit had also dropped by to wish us well on the de-freezing of our bank account. “I knew you will eventually succeed because you were on the right,” he stated. “Stick to the correct path and nobody can harm you. Just because somebody is being dishonest or plays dirty does not mean you change your path… That is why I have supported you all along.”
Enough food for thought for one day. The eats at the party that followed were a bonus.

‘Made in England’

Club president Mallika Kagzi greets Aman with a toffee

We had a special guest today. Two-year-old Aman traveled all the way from Bournemouth, U.K. to pay us a visit at the Garden this morning during the exercises. He was accompanied by his mother and doting grand-dad, Bihari Milwani.
This was Aman’s first trip to India. Coming from a sparsely populated beachside resort (located on the south coast of England), the tiny tot was hardly amused on seeing so many of us together creating a ruckus early morning.

Aman introduces himself

But he kept a brave front for the best part and was overheard pestering his mom constantly with queries like, “Why is she like that?” (pointing at Khatoon Baig) and “What are they doing?” (pointing at the rest of us). And when we were all to let out that blood curdling roar on the Lion and Lioness Laughter round, Aman concluded that enough was enough

Not amused!

“Let us go back!” he declared at that point, trying desperately to climb up his mother’s legs. The efforts of Yusuf Rassiwala, Geeta Latte and others

Safe in mom's arms

at engaging him in baby talk only made things worse. Ultimately, it took a toffee from Mallika Kagzi to calm our little boy and get him around.
Thereafter, he was on a roll.

The new 'Popcorn' war dance

The exercises over, Rakhee Bansi took Aman aside to a corner bench, plying him with chocolates and he in turn, digging into her handbag for more. The best part was Bihari beaming with pride all morning watching his grandson’s antics. He was the one to have christened the child, “Made in England" before going to see him first time in the Diwali of 2014.
In between, Karun Sharma had his first one-to-one counseling session with Kajal Babani after the exercis
es. He also introduced us to another game (on popular demand), funnily called 'Popcorn'. Apparently, this is a follow-up on the ‘Toy Handshake’ he showed us some time back (ref post of January 17).
Karun says he can teach us many such self-motivational games, but the only problem is whether we would be able to accommodate them in our one-hour routine. At best, we shall have to keep them discretionary, as many of us need to attend the yoga classes in the China Hut. Some others, like Bihari need to catch up with work and leave the Garden by 8:00 max.
Geeta Latte:
Soooooooooo cute pictures... phir bhi dil hai Hindustani💟💟💟

Aftermath

Shooting the breeze

In the aftermath of yesterday’s mega shindig (see post), we are noticing a strange but unmistakable consolidation of forces in the Garden. The usual suspects with divided loyalties are beginning to see through the lies they had been fed with for long and are now retracing their steps towards Big Laaf.
“The Reserve Bank of India order has come as a slap on their face,” said one. “Serves them right. Many congratulations to all of you!”
Others like Tara Chand Seth and Karuna Waghmare today demanded their share of laddoos since they missed the celebrations yesterday. Yusuf Rassiwala suggested we also send a box of sweets to Celebration Club for their being "so supportive towards us" during the past eight months. There were also cautionary noises about retaliatory moves by the “opposite party” (as Shekhawat puts it) in order to harass / demoralise us.

Karuna Waghmare gets til-gud laddoos

Shanti Singh brings til-gud laddoos

Some suggested circulating copies of the RBI order for the general information of members. But the idea was dropped later. “They won’t sit quiet now,” was the general warning. "We need to be vigilant."
Meanwhile, the overall sense of jubilation in the Club is fast being replaced by an insistence to loosen our purse strings – now that finances are no longer a matter of concern. Apart from the celebratory party scheduled, there are expenses for the Republic Day function coming up next week. Shekhawat, along with Mallika Kagzi and Arun Patil want a picnic also, even if it were to be at Juhu Beach (“but definitely not Versova Beach”). Incidentally, a contingent from the Club is leaving for a week-long tour of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer on February 5.
Dilip Babani came up with a brilliant idea. Instead of arbitrarily taking off on such recreational activities, it would be better if we put our heads together and chalk out in advance a calendar of events/ programmes to be undertaken by the Club in the course of one year. “Accordingly, we may allocate funds and make sure we stick to our budget for each event,” he explained.
This would require a meeting of the managing committee – earlier the better.

Moral Victory

Shekhawat jubilantly leads the train with 100 per cent participation

Members respond to the big news with tumultuous applause

Nobody had ever witnessed such a massive outburst of jubilation in the Club. The entire Garden watched in silence as we rejoiced, gamboled about and distributed laddoos. Hardly anybody got left out from this euphoric celebration. And the reactions were spontaneous and unanimous: Truth always prevails.
It was all planned. Shekhawat had announced long back that he would do “Balley Balley” the day our Club’s bank accounts were de-freezed. That moment of triumph came yesterday. Our stand in the dispute has been vindicated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and on its specific orders, we were allowed to operate our accounts and effect a transaction successfully.
Reaching this point has not been easy – all because of a dishonest ex-member playing dirty. Without getting into details (for now), we had to salvage the situation, counter every falsehood at all the appropriate forums and expose the liar. But for five members in the know, the entire operation

Luddoo for Vijay Bhai

Navin-bhai gets a bite

was kept secret for obvious reasons. And what we have achieved now is nothing short of a moral victory.
Shekhawat broke this news and with obvious pride led a ‘train’ (in the rail-gaadi round) with 100 per cent participation. Yusuf Rassiwala suggested we cut short our exercises because “nobody was in the mood” today. Mallika Kagzi went around the Garden feeding laddoos to all and sundry and explaining the reason. Before long, Razia Khan covered the China Hut area. Banoo Apa took care of the Club members and followed it with hot tea and biscuits outside the Gate. Members

Vasudev picks a laddoo

Laddoo treat for the entire Garden

were told that a “bigger celebration” is being planned, meant exclusively for them. At the same time, they were cautioned that we cannot afford to be complacent at present. We should expect some retaliation from the other end and must be prepared for it. In this regard, Yusuf R intends to give a pep talk some time soon.
Meanwhile, Lt Col (retd) Angad Singh had called from Mohali yesterday to inform us of a tragedy that has overtaken him and his family. He has a daughter settled in Bangalore. All of a sudden, her husband went into coma from which he could not recover.

Bereaved: Angad Singh

Unable to bear the shock, Angad Singh’s wife also

Banoo Apa hosts tea party

passed away within days.
Now he is all alone at home. “I don’t know what to do,” he said long-distance. “My son, who stays in Mumbai, has gone back. He wants me to join him there, but I cannot make up my mind, partly because of certain legal issues here. Besides, I do not know if I should join my daughter in Bangalore. She too is alone.”
Angad Singh is in his mid-eighties. This is no age to suffer so much – with no one of his own around.
Razia Khan:
Heartiest congratulations to all Big Laaf members, especially those who were involved in defreezing the account. This great news comes as a pleasant morning breeze. I would like to congratulate each one from the core of my heart. Thanks a billion. A really very, very good start in this New Year. Manzil ki justujoo mein hum ho gaye kaamyaab.
May God shower His blessings on Big Laaf always. Congrats ,Congrats, Congrats.
Baharen chaman mein apna rang jamaa gayi / Khushiyan simatkar hamare daaman mein aagayi.💐💐💐💐👍👍👍
Geeta Latte:
Yippeeeeeeee😊😊😊😊😊
Dilip Babani:
Good things happen with good people and God is always with good people. Big Laaf is a very good family. All members are great, simple minded and loving. All members want to enjoy while doing exercise. The morning exercises with good mood is the best exercise.
Bihari Milwani:
Very shocked and sorry to learn about the tragedy with Col Angad Singh. I will still request him to be with us -- at least on 10th April, 2017 to celebrate his 83rd birthday. For the last so many years, he has denied us his blessings. In particular, I wish he be with us on 10th August 2017 when he will attain the landmark of 1000 months (i.e. 83 years and 4 months), a rare opportunity which a counted few get to achieve. Col Sa'ab, I humbly request you not to deny me the privilege to give you my greeting card on this auspicious occasion.
Bihari Milwani adds:
Our victory is a result of the sincere tapasya by Baba Kiran Prakash!
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
I thank my dear friends of Big Laaf for being with members of my family in our hour of sadness. Soon we should be out of this. We are slowly picking up the threads of life. Hoping to join you soon and enjoy your company.

‘Toy Handshake’

TOY HANDSHAKE: Karun Sharma is in the foreground facing camera

Innovation is the name of our game. Had it not been for this tendency to adapt and adopt, we would have remained where we were a decade ago. Big Laaf would not have evolved and grown into the Club it is today.
So this morning, when Karun Sharma suggested we play “a game of toy handshake” we jumped at the idea, little bothered about the spectacle we would be making of ourselves. We knew though that there had to be some method in this madness.
We obediently broke into pairs, held hands facing one another and after a few heave-hos threw our arms up in the air laughing hysterically.

Confused Karuna Waghmare

Karun explained that this exercise helps to “improve creativity”. Yusuf Rassiwala said that the laughter it evokes is “natural and spontaneous” unlike the forced outbursts we display as part of our normal routine.
Be that as it was, Karuna Waghmare also kept us in stitches on returning from her “Ganga-snaan pilgrimage” (ref post of January 9).

Shekhawat (l) distributes til-gud laddoos

The funny part was that she had no clue as to where she had been to.
She had left telling us that she was off to Allahabad to take a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam.
But today she described the place as dirty, very congested with narrow lanes, decrepit buildings, dead bodies burning by the river banks, and so on.
Now, this sounded more like Benares. “In this biting cold, we hired a boat and visited 49 ghats,” she affirmed, thereby confirming this could not be Allahabad.
When asked if she had unknowingly ended up in Benares by any chance, she nodded, looking utterly confused. Arun Patil asked

Nahid Khan (l) says it with toffees

Dilip Babani (r) brings Shirdi prasad

in Marathi if she was sure, her reply was that she “had to take the dip on Makar Sankranti day (last Saturday)” – this time leaving us baffled for words.
Earlier in the morning, there was Shekhawat celebrating Makar Sankranti with home-made til-gud laddoos – the soft, crunchy variety only his wife is capable of making. Separately, Dilip Babani celebrated his whistle stop visit to Shirdi on Sunday with revdi prasad from the Sai Baba shrine. If that was not all, Nahid Khan pitched in by distributing toffees and lozenges… simply for the heck of it. As they say, when it rains, it POURS.
Geeta Latte:
Bachhpan ki yaad aayi. Thank you so much Karun Uncle.

Big Blessing

Scramble for Siba Prasad Maitra's (r) nolen gurer sandesh

Whatever anyone may say about the prevailing cold weather conditions, the wind chill, darkness at dawn, etc., there is one major blessing of winter that cannot be overlooked. This is the only time of the year when you not only dress your best, but more importantly, get to sample a large variety of delicacies typically associated with the season.
A cursory glance at recent blog posts would reveal that since the onset of winter, we have been able to savor a whole lot of goodies we would ordinarily

Mumtaz Jahan with walnuts

not get to even see at any other time of the year. And so, today was no different.
Mumtaz Jahan came up with a bagful of walnuts from her recent trip to Jammu – something that keeps the body warm and charged in colder climes. Suresh Samel, the Garden's affable octogenarian ‘friend of Big Laaf’ distributed

Bosom pals Shekhawat and Gupta (file photo)

another winter specialty – til-gud laddu to celebrate Makar Sankranti (that was the day-before yesterday).
The best however, was to come from Siba Prasad Maitra – nolen gurer sandesh. This again is a seasonal specialty, prepared from the freshly tapped sap of date palm and cottage cheese fudge (for lack of a better word). You don’t get it anywhere in Mumbai – at least, not the quality which Maitra had brought us this morning from a recent visit to Kolkata.
Meanwhile, here’s some good news about Shekhawat. He had been running high fever with acute chest congestion and body cramps last week-end and had absented himself for two days. It was nice to see him back today, fit and fine. But his bosom buddy, Bijoy Gupta, who had been inquiring about him all along, has now disappeared. Now it is Shekhawat’s turn to be missing him.