Mt Abu-Udaipur Trip

Bhaswati Bose

It was Bhaswati Bose’s birthday today. But she did not show up at the Garden. She was at home, feverishly booking railway tickets online for a trip to Mt Abu and Udaipur four months down the line – between November 16 and 22, 2018.
Similarly, Kiran Prakash was booking his ticket from home. And Nahid Khan had gone to Andheri Station to secure tickets for herself and Lakshmi Hadimani the moment the booking counter opened at 8:00 a.m.

Siba Prasad Maitra (file photo)

They were successful, except for Bhaswati.
According to a nonsensical rule of Indian Railways, bookings open exactly 120 days in advance and as is well known, tickets disappear within minutes. For all the alacrity of our ticket guerillas, many were left stranded. Their tickets showed up wait-listed!
Meanwhile, we are told that the fracture Siba Prasad Maitra incurred from a road accident last week (ref post of July 13) is not as “minor” as he would want us believe.

Rains pursue us to a new location for the exercises

A follow-up at Kokilaben Hospital yesterday has earned him a huge plaster on the affected leg and strict orders from his doctor to remain under house arrest for one-and-half months.
Clearly, what was supposed to heal within a week or ten days is now being extended to well over 50 days. And this is getting on Maitra’s nerves. “It is sheer torture,” he complained on the phone. “I am not the sort to remain rooted at home. For how long can one sit immobile watching TV all alone, listening to music or reading a book? I need to get out!”
Maitra is so exasperated that he is prepared to defy doctor’s orders and “walk it up to the Garden one of these days” to meet us. “I will not be able to exercise, but be seated and watching you all,” he says. “But then, why don’t you also come over and have a cup of tea with me? I will get company.”

Karun Sharma:
Happy Birthday, Bhaswati Bose. It is wonderful to know and wish you on your special day.

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd):
Maitra-ji's fracture will take time to heal. It is very difficult to be sitting at home without any activity. He may like to come to the Garden in a vehicle and enjoy watching the people walking around or participating in the exercises.

Bihari Milwani:
We understand Bhaswati had hard luck in getting the tickets. But why post her photo in an angry mood? Post some photo of her smiling face!

Dilip Babani:
Happy Birthday, Bhaswati-ji!

Siba Prasad Maitra:
I see a big coverage on my fractured foot. Don’t worry I will be fit in another 10 days. Initially the plaster was given to control inflammation. Now it is for treatment of fracture. Doctor has asked to keep it for 15 days. So by 1st or 2nd August, I should be free from the plaster. July is a month of birthdays and I am out from the Garden. Sorry, but let me wish each of the July-born members 'Happy Birthday'.🙏