Confusion Returns

Shekhawat (back to camera) tries to rationalise change of programme

After announcing Saina Resort for the club picnic on August 18 (ref post yesterday), Shekhawat today threw a spanner in the works by overturning his own decision. He announced the name of a new venue, U.K.Resort in Khopoli and what’s more, he has no clarity on the date as yet!
Predictably, the announcement has created all-round confusion in the Club. A majority of members has already paid an advance with the intention of going to Saina Resort.
Moreover, Kiran Prakash is in talks with the resort management and has negotiated a handsome ‘group discount’ for us. To withdraw from the deal at this stage would be a huge embarrassment to all of us.
Yusuf Rassiwala understands this and tactfully vetoed the U.K.Resort idea. “Don’t even think of Khopoli,” he advised Shekhawat. “None of us is in any position to undertake such a long journey by bus. Let us be realistic and stick to Saina.”

Confusion reigns supreme: Nobody knows whether s/he's going or coming

Venue thus taken care of, the focus shifted to the date of the picnic. It seems Mohammad Gulzar, a former member has threatened to quit if we go on August 18, a Friday. He has a special namaz fixed for the afternoon that day. And Shekhawat obviously cannot afford to lose him as he comes with a complement of seven.
Shifting to a later date, i.e. August 19 or 20 (Saturday / Sunday) could mean having to deal with unruly weekend crowds at the resort.
To advance it to an earlier date, August 17 would mean having to exclude some lady members known to observe fasts on Thursdays.
That leaves August 16 (Wednesday), or else some ‘suitable date’ after August 20. Right now August 16 seems to be our best bet. But again, there is another unresolved issue: What should we charge non-members (or ‘guests’) wanting to join us? The practice elsewhere is to charge a ‘guest fee’ – often up to 50 per cent of what regular members pay. We have not done this so far, though everybody agrees that it is time we start doing so.
Kiran Prakash has called for a meeting of the managing committee tomorrow to thrash out these issues and restore a semblance of order ahead of the picnic.

Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
It is good to stick to Saina Resort; otherwise we will lose face and stand to gain nothing. A date suitable to everyone has to be selected. Our aim should be to enjoy and stay happy.

Karun Sharmma:
I think the status and internal issues of the Club are excellently covered in the blog. Yusuf-bhai acted with a lot of maturity. And Kiran Prakash is also playing his role well.