It’s a boy!

The Winner: NAHID KHAN

DILIP BABANI today

This 14-year-old is...

After 17 long days of seemingly interminable suspense, the 14th edition of the Pehchaan Kaun contest (see post of April 2) came to a nail-biting finish this morning with Nahid Khan emerging the winner. She could identify Dilip Babani as the 14-year-old boy in the photograph.
Nahid was not alone though. Banoo Apa, Kiran Prakash and Naseem Khan had also submitted all-correct entries (see post of April 18),

Bhaswati Bose conducts today's proceedings

but since there can be only one winner, a draw of lots had to be conducted. Dilip did the honors by picking Nahid’s name as the lucky one among equals.
Altogether there were 25 contenders for the trophy this time around and as pointed out by Bhaswati Bose (who conducted today’s proceedings), it was the most keenly contested and arguably,

Dilip makes the final pick

the toughest of all the Pehchaan Kaun competitions held so far. Many like Shanti Singh and Arun Patil, least expected to participate, plunged headlong

Dilip flanked by the final four: from left Banoo Apa
Kiran Prakash, Naseem Khan and Nahid Khan

into the fray with unusual gusto. Adding to the build-up generated by such enthusiasm was the ambiguity about the gender of the child featured.

Geeta gets bouquet from Santosh 

For the first time, no name was required to be given, but the size of shoe, place of residence and of course, whether the photograph is of a boy or girl.

Yusuf Rassiwala hosts a gala treat for Geeta Latte

The other big event of the morning was Yusuf Rassiwala’s gala treat to felicitate Geeta Latte for qualifying as a yoga teacher (ref post of April 9) recently.

Razia blesses Geeta with sweets

More than an expression of generosity, this was as much an act of personal affection as of pride on the accomplishment of one of the younger members of the Club.

Geeta Latte today

Santosh Tyagi presented Geeta a bouquet of red roses on behalf of the members and what’s more, Razia Khan gave her blessings with a box of sweets. This was entirely voluntary and imbued with so full of heart.

Kiran Prakash gifts a memento

And then came the piece de resistance: a beautiful, glass-framed memento capturing verbatim the sentiments expressed in the April 9 blogpost. Only a well-wisher as imaginative and blessed as Kiran Prakash could have come up with such a thoughtful, yet priceless gift for someone not even related to him.
Clearly, Geeta was expecting none of this. Visibly moved, she went around saying that it felt like her second birthday today. “I have never felt so happy earlier!” she sniffled.
Post Script: For better clarity of the photographs, please click on the image of your choice to get a full-screen enlargement. You could even preserve this picture (in a separate folder) with a right click on the image and clicking 'Save'. This applies to all pictures in the blog since 2010.
Kiran Prakash:
I have not seen many in my life capable of loving all. Geeta is one, who not only loves human beings but animals as well. Understandably, this is reciprocated well. May her newly acquired skills take her further to serve humanity. Indeed, Geeta is not related to me. But she is more than a relative. She is like a daughter and every achievement of her is a matter of pride for me. It was nice of Yusuf-bhai also to organise a bouquet and a party to felicitate Geeta and express his affection.
Bihari Milwani:
Dear Dilip, as a teenager, how many boys were impressed by you?
Dilip Babani:
Today's programme was very well conducted, thanks to Bhaswati-ji. All members were happy. A nice party was given by Yusuf-bhai and a very nice photo frame was given by Kiran Prakash. Geeta became very happy on receiving photo frame and bouquet from Yusuf-bhai. Razia gave very nice mithai to Geeta. And Geeta gave mithai to all. Nice mithai.
Kiran Prakash adds:
Last, but not the least, Bhaswati Bose conducted the entire proceedings quite professionally. She is creating a niche for herself in the Club. Well done!
Bhaswati Bose:
Congratulations to Tai Chi (Geeta)! Felicitating her was a wonderful gesture from Yusuf-bhai. Thoughtful of Razia-ji also to celebrate the occasion with sweets and what a unique gift from Kiran-ji! Very innovative.
Also, thank you all for participating in Pehchaan Kaun and tolerating me in today's proceedings. Congrats to the four who got it right -- particularly, Nahid who also got lucky. It was great fun.
Kajal Babani (on WhatsApp):
With each day our Club activities are becoming more interesting and entertaining. Every activity becomes a family celebration with each person rejoicing in the other's happiness. Yusuf-bhai holding a party today is an event of that kind. To feel the pride of a member of the Club is commendable. Members have become more fun-loving in the past year.
Razia Khan:
We are proud that our very own blog is progressing day by day and the bonding amongst the members of Big Laaf is becoming stronger. As the years pass by, we as a family have become more united. We cannot think of parting from our Big Laaf family. The warmth and affection towards one another is priceless. Let us thank the Almighty for giving us such a loving family. I love my Big Laaf family.
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
It is interesting to note that a large number of members took part in the Pehchan Kaun contest. Heartiest congrats to the winners. Heartiest congratulations also to Geeta - the youngest member of the Club. She is adored and loved by all members as a daughter. Good show. Keep enjoying and be happy.
Geeta Latte:
Thank you soooooooo much, my Big Laaf family. My life isn't perfect. But I am thankful for everything I have now 😇😇😇!