It’s Khopoli Now

Bijoy Gupta interprets Shekhawat's proposal for a picnic at Karjat

From Lonavala to Khandala and now Khopoli, the destination for our day-picnic scheduled this month is getting closer to home.
Elaborating on this today, Shekhawat said it would take us no more than a two-and-half hour drive to reach this scenic spot at the base of the Sahyadri range. “We would be going this Sunday (August 6) and return the same day,” he informed. “I have already spoken to the resort and they are ready to give us a good discount.”
Shekhawat however, could not name the resort, but for some “Joshi”. Promptly Siba Prasad Maitra googled on his mobile phone and came up with “Joshi Homely Food”, a tiffin service operating from Lonavala. No mention of any resort by that name in Khopoli.
But Shekhawat was least deterred. “I shall start collecting money for the trip from tomorrow,” he said, mentioning the amount.

Arun Patil

“It would cover expenses for the bus to and fro as well as breakfast, lunch and high tea. Two people have already signed up.”
Bijoy Gupta instantly offered to 'interpret' Shekhawat’s proposal. “What he means to say is that the charges apply to men only. All females would be taken free. Shekhawat will bear their expenses on the trip. Why does he get pension after all? He needs to spend it somewhere.”
Gupta’s intervention stemmed from a discussion earlier in the morning when Shekhawat agreed to foot the bill of lady members from the Club. For ladies outside the Club, he however, insisted on charging Rs300 per head. Arun Patil immediately offered to use his Bollywood contacts to get a horde of movie starlets and models for the picnic.
“Great!” Shekhawat exclaimed. “But they will also have to pay Rs300 per head.”
“What do you mean?” Arun shot back. “You will have to ulta pay those girls Rs3,000 per head to come on your picnic. They would lend glamour to the group.”
Shekhawat did not get the logic – more so, since he was offering subsidized food and transport to the girls. But he did not argue. In effect, it put paid to his hopes of being in the company of some pretty young things this weekend.

Bihari Milwani:
Wow! Picnic on Sunday. All working and non-working couples can join. There will be no need for Shekhawat to sponsor female members.

Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
The very mention of a picnic shows how excited everybody gets. Money and payments are secondary things. Certainly go on the picnic -- enjoy the company and keep laughing.