Best Behaviour

The Brahmakumari congregation. Our group can be seen in prayer at the far end. (Can anyone spot Bijoy Gupta?)

Exercises in progress against the backdrop of Brahmakumari congregation

Change of location for today's post-exercise jokes session

The beginning of a new day.
A new week.
A new month.
May Day.
International Labor Day.
Maharashtra Day.
Gujarat Day.
Anushka Sharma’s birthday…
With so much riding upon us, it was only appropriate we be at our best behavior today. And lest we slip up somewhere, a group of 100-odd Brahmakumari devotees had positioned themselves strategically within shouting distance of where we exercise every day. They were there for the first time – even before we had landed – for an early morning sermon by one of their own.
For some reason Arun Patil appeared terribly disturbed by their presence. From the moment he entered the Garden, he insisted we get the hell out and exercise some place else – better still, not exercise at all today. Shekhawat promptly put his foot down. Razia Khan and Santosh Tyagi explained that shifting elsewhere would not help and it would be better if we simply tone down our laughter so as not to disturb the religious congregation.
But Arun was adamant. He made it seem as though we were invading someone else's space and that we ought to feel guilty about it. He was simply not prepared to accept that two groups could co-exist peaceably without getting into each other’s way. And when he found nobody taking his side, he walked out in a huff and drove away.
Before long, Bijoy Gupta walked in, his face beaming with joy on finding so many of his ilk gathered in the Garden. (For those not in the know, Gupta is an ardent Brahhmakumari follower.) It was clear he would not exercise. Predictably he excused himself, saying he “would be unable to concentrate on the exercises while the sermon was on” and quickly joined the congregation – even grabbing a front-row seat for himself.
Meanwhile, the exercises were wrapped up peacefully in a hush-hush manner with nobody daring to fool about. Even Shekhawat was unusually restrained, though totally out of character. He too was at his best behaviour.
Kiran Prakash:
Bijoy Gupta is in front row. Second from right.
Dilip Babani:
Brahmakumari organisation teaches rajyog among other things. Very nice organization.
Karun Sharma:
It was refreshing for me to be also with the Brahma Kumaris today. I have spent a lot of time with them since 1993 and learnt many positive things. I do not visit BKs regularly but hold them in high regard. I had visited Mount Abu (their headquarters) more than three times.
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
The aim of both the groups is the same i.e. uplifting human beings. Both of them can co-exist peacefully at the same time. This has been proved today morning.