Silence Zone

Yusuf Rassiwala takes his oath on Gita

Rukhsana Khan (l) treats us on her return from A&N Islands.
Arun Patil, with double cap, is facing her

In these days of enforced indoctrination and moral policing, concerted efforts are being made to turn our laughter area in the Garden into a Silence Zone. Arun Patil today pushed the envelope further by demanding that we “take an oath on Gita” to observe complete silence during the exercises, ostensibly in the interests of maintaining discipline.
It was a bully’s cover up for his failure to rein in recalcitrant members, who have steadfastly challenged his authority as bossman of the Club. Predictably, Shekhawat refused pointblank to fall into this emotional/ religious claptrap.
But his co-chairman, Yusuf Rassiwala did not have the heart to disappoint Arun. He did the unimaginable by summoning Gita Latte after the exercises and with much ceremony, placed his hand on her head and promised not to talk in the course of the exercises! Later, he was to qualify the gesture as as an act of blessing Gita. But Arun was happy any way.
Significantly, we have another Gita in our midst, although we know her better by her maiden name – Kajal Babani. Yusuf R had the option of placing his massive hand on Kajal’s head, but quickly changed his mind seeing that she was in no mind to be party to the conspiracy of silence. After all, she, along with Bhaswati Bose and Santosh Tyagi are the Club’s original chatterboxes and Yusuf R had accordingly designated them ‘Batuni Babes’.
The Gita episode must be seen in the light of a series of developments that have silently overtaken us of late. Extraneous forces have been trying to muzzle us as we are periodically told to refrain from laughing aloud. Willy nilly we have also become adherents to the Swachh Bharat campaign and can no longer dare to host parties/ treats inside the Garden. We have a Yoga by the Nala also every day, just that it is conducted within the confines of the China Hut. Razia Khan, Khatoon Baig, Qadeer Bano and many others are attending these half-hour sessions religiously.
Where these would all lead to is anybody’s guess. For the moment though, everybody is happy as mercifully, no fear psychosis has set in – however hard Arun Patil might try.
Geeta Latte:
Fall in love with yourself first. Sajan re jhooth mat bolo, Khuda ke pas jana hai...