Pleasant Surprise!

Shekhawat (l) salutes Tara Chand Seth after the presentation

Everybody likes gifts. In fact, it is often expected and has become almost de rigueur during birthdays, weddings and anniversaries. But what happens when there is no occasion, or any specific reason for gifting?
The answer shone bright on Tara Chand Seth’s face when Shekhawat gifted him a framed photo collage on behalf of the Club this morning. Adding to the element of surprise, the latter stepped back, snapped his heels and pulled off a smart salute, leaving the otherwise reticent octogenarian stumped for words.
Tara Chand turns 90 this October. But we will be unable to celebrate the birthday with him as he needs to be present in Delhi (where he has another house) from September 12 on account of certain family obligations.

Close-up of the memento

It would thus deprive him of the pictorial calendar all members are entitled to receive on their birthdays from the Club.
Since Tara Chand has been an avid enthusiast of photography (he even gets multiple prints

Poring over the photo collage

of the pictures he fancies in this blog) it was felt that he would cherish a photo montage from the Club as a lasting memento.
There was another reason for this gift today. Tara Chand is not in the best of health. His movements have been restricted after a blood clot was detected in his brain earlier this month. The doctors did not risk a surgery then (given his advanced age) and have instead put him on oral medication to stabilize his mobility. He can lose his balance and fall down any moment.
This being his condition, Tara Chand should not be endangering his life by walking half a kilometre from home to the Garden, however much he may be in love with the Club. He is not supposed to even leave his building complex unaccompanied. We impressed upon him to follow doctor’s orders till such time he recovers completely.

Dilip Babani:
This was a very good surprise. A good idea. Very nice photos. Tara Chand looked very happy. Hope there will be many more such surprises.

Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
Tara Chand is an active member. He makes it a point to come to the Garden every day whenever he is in Mumbai. He is a jovial person. Wishing him good health and long life.