Poster Girls

Everybody follows Mubaraka (c) as she conducts the laughter exercises, confidently  

Jamilla and Mubaraka in their elements

The child, they say, is the father of man. But what would you say of a grand-child -- or grand-children rather?
Little Mubaraka (ref post of August 29) chucked this conundrum at us when she held centre-stage to conduct the laughter exercises this morning. She was the boss, calling the shots and the 18 of us, including grand-pa Yusuf Rassiwala, simply followed her bidding.
But then, it was more to prove a point to her younger sister, Jamilla that Mubaraka took charge of our laughter round today. If anything, she had to establish that attending the exercises the day-before yesterday

File photo: Jamilla is on her mother's lap

was more than enough to rise above all and be the lady in command.
Jamilla was hardly impressed. She is known to be the naughtier one, a bundle of mischief, but surprisingly remained restrained in front of us. Left to herself, she’d be the last person to ever obey her sister. We caught a glimpse of this mischievous streak when Mubaraka requested Jamilla to fetch her a bottle of water as she felt thirsty. “Get it yourself,” she shot back.
And she did not find anything funny about it.
The first we saw of Jamilla was on her mother’s lap six years back (ref post of June 23, 2012). It was probably her first birthday. Yusuf R had brought her with the rest of his family to celebrate with us in the Garden. Today, it seems so long, long ago. Above is a group photo taken on that occasion. Mubaraka can be seen standing in red T-shirt, fidgeting around. How time flies!

Soft Target

Santosh Tyagi gives Gupta some sage advice

Santosh Tyagi was in for a rude shock when she showed up today. Instead of being welcomed back with open arms, Bijoy Gupta charged at her hammer and tongs: “Where have you been all these days? We were about to call the police!”
Santosh was keeping low for the past few days, obviously due to the uncertain weather conditions. But Gupta was uncaring and relentless: “What do you expect us to do when a member goes missing? We thought you had been abducted by somebody. Or did you run away from home?”
By now Santosh could gather that Gupta was not serious and as is his nature, was pulling her leg. Still, at the end of the exercises, she gave him a piece of sage advice: “At our age we should not entertain such wild thoughts. We ought to focus our minds on the Almighty above.”
This only gave Gupta additional ammunition to chide her further: “Does this mean you are so weak-hearted, Santosh-ji? Why, don’t you have any control over your mind?” And so it went on and on...
Point is, Gupta needs someone to play the fool with every morning. Not everyone is sporting enough to absorb his jokes. So long, Shekhawat was a convenient target. But now that he is indisposed (ref earlier posts) and has not been coming for the past three days, Gupta was on a look out for someone new to let off steam.
Santosh Tyagi today presented herself as a soft target.

Karun Sharma:
Yes, Gupta-ji has enormous energy and enthusiasm to pull people's legs. Today's I thought the Think About It quote was excellent. Thanks for sharing.

Under Attack

Special guest: Mubaraka

There was no thundershower today. But it rained insects – tiny flies, mosquitoes, gnats, midges… falling from nowhere and making life miserable at the Garden. At times we could see them darting about in the air, only to disappear the next moment. But by and large, they remained invisible to the naked eye and marked their presence by a nasty itch and red lumps on the skin.
Poor Mubaraka, she had chosen the wrong day to be with us. Little had she bargained to spend her time in the exercise circle scratching herself to grief and having only her grand-pa Yusuf Rassiwala to blame for her plight.

Somebody is busy scratching her legs while the others exercise

He of course, suggested that she relax on a bench rather than exercise with us. But it was of no use. Within moments she was back, as the aerial onslaught continued wherever she went.
Meanwhile, Shekhawat has sent news that he will be operated upon at the naval hospital in Colaba and not at the Asian Heart Centre as initially planned (ref previous posts). The doctors had run a few

Kiran Prakash

more tests on him yesterday (including an ECG and X-Ray) and the results are expected today. The surgery, he says, will involve skin grafting also.
Kiran Prakash has also sent news of leaving today for a family reunion at Patna. Janam Ashtami is observed in a big way in his ancestral home and this is one occasion in the year when his siblings and their families and relatives gather together under one roof to celebrate. Kiran Prakash has never missed his appointment at this event.
We wish him a happy and safe journey.

Dr Anjana Prakash:
This little angel captured our hearts by her innocent and charming look. Indeed she came on the wrong day. God bless her. Come again, darling and enjoy the exercise with us. No insect will be there to trouble you😊

Mubaraka:
First of all, I thank Bose (grand)uncle for my photo on the blog. And thereafter, I thank Anjana Aunty very much for complimenting me on my looks and showering her blessings. I am very much obliged and hope to meet her some day.

Rogue Thundershower

Nahid Khan reports for the exercises today

A rogue thundershower around 6:30 ruined our exercises this morning. We were just three at the start. All those known to be regular and punctual could not make it today. They included Kiran Prakash, Yusuf Rassiwala, Santosh Tyagi, Arun Patil and the others who usually in time to flag off the exercises every day.
This gives us a clue as to how our daily turnout is influenced by the monsoon. Should it rain any time between 6:15 and 6:45 in the morning, we can be almost certain of a total washout for the exercises. For, that is the critical time periodwhen most people leave their homes for the Garden. Any other time and however heavy the rain, would not affect the attendance. This explains how we have been getting nearly 20 members for the exercises every day over the past few weeks.
Meanwhile, here’s the latest on Shekhawat (ref yesterday’s post). After leaving the Garden, he had rushed (with his wife) to Ashwini, the naval hospital in Colaba and was put through a battery of tests.
The reports are expected today. He would have to make the trip again, this time with his daughter (who stays in Nala Sopara) as his wife is unable to take the strain of another journey. It seems he has no one else to escort him around right now.
According to Shekhawat, no antibiotic or painkiller has been prescribed and the “burning sensation” in his chest persists. He expects that on the basis of his test results, the doctors at Ashwini would refer him to Asian Heart Centre for the much-needed surgery. We will know for sure later in the day.

Karun Sharma:
Let us pray for the fast recovery of our ever young friend. Shekhawat is a symbol of energy, enthusiasm and enjoyment and we all are waiting for him to join us.

Dr Anjana Prakash:
Sad to hear about Mr Shekhawat. He is indeed the most energetic person in Big Laaf considering his age. Praying to God for his speedy recovery. May the Almighty give him enough strength to come out of his ailment soon.

Indisposed

Shekhawat

After Banoo Apa, it was Shekhawat today who has become a cause for concern. Early morning, even before the exercises had begun, he was seen sitting quietly on a bench, wincing in pain. At one point, he looked skyward with a grimace and blacked out for a few moments. “The pain is unbearable,” he said when he came around.
Inquiries revealed that the infection in the sutures on his chest have started smarting. The sutures were from the cardiac by-pass undergone four years back. Last year, he had foolishly got his chest hair shaved by an idiot in his village and since then there has been an ugly wound and pus formation around the sutures.
Doctors in Mumbai have advised surgery to drain out the pus, but it ought to be done, preferably by the surgeons at Asian Heart Institute, Bandra who had done the by-pass.

Saluting the sun god in the rains

It is said to be a "minor surgery" but Shekhawat has been dilly-dallying and relying on some antibiotics and pain-killers prescribed in the interim. Clearly, those have outlived their efficacy.
“I need to take an appointment at Asian Heart,” he pleaded this morning. “Otherwise no doctor there will see me.”
By then Shekhawat, on the advice of Yusuf Rassiwala, Qadir Bano and others, had withdrawn from the exercises and was resting on a bench. After some time, he got up and said he needed to go home. "I can't take it any longer," he declared.
Shekhawat’s problem is that except for an ailing wife, he has no one at home. His son and family are currently vacationing in the U.S. and Canada. He needs someone to escort him to the hospital. Even the act of booking an appointment with a surgeon there is a formidable task for him.
Given these inhibitions, it would be nice if someone for the Club could step in and volunteer to take care of him for the moment. All Shekhawat needs is a presence – the company of a person he can rely on and feel reassured. That’s all.

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd):
Shekhawat deserves help and certainly a good samaritan who can find time to get an appointment and take him to the hospital. It is the need of the hour. We must help each other.

Siba Prasad Maitra:
I am really sorry to learn about Mr Shekhawat's health condition from the blog. I reached for exercise a little late and did not ask anyone about his absence. Otherwise I would have visited his house today.

Day 2650

Pic of the Week

RAKSHA BANDHAN: A RAKHI FOR THE INDOMITABLE "BHAI"

BHAI-JAAN getting a rakhi from SISTER-JAAN! --Angad Singh

Bringing Cheer

Banoo Apa (c) got us 'phoren chocolates' today

On a dull and unremarkable morning, Banoo Apa infused some liveliness in the Club by handing out fistfuls of ‘foreign chocolates’. Her sister, who divides time between London and Paris, is currently on a visit to Mumbai.
Banoo Apa though, is not keeping well. She was away for the best part of this week owing to a sudden spike in BP and blood sugar levels. She looked off-color, but still managed to keep us cheerful and upbeat. Such is her nature. Unknown to us, she was undergoing treatment at Breach Candy.
Sadly, we do not keep track of members who suddenly drop off the radar. For instance, Naseem Khan, Geeta Latte and Karuna Waghmare have not been reporting for the exercises for quite some time. In the absence of any communication from either end, we have conveniently presumed they are under the weather.
This is rather unfortunate. We ought to be there for one another, through good times and bad, as we used to in the past. But then, we were younger and more energetic at that time. Moreover, there is a limit to invading anybody’s privacy. Many people, particularly families do not like it.
At the same time, we cannot remain indifferent towards those we have been starting our days with for years. Nothing can be any worse, should this feeling seep in. Meanwhile, let us wish Banoo Apa a speedy recovery.

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd):
Loneliness is our worst enemy. As senior citizens and members of the Club, we must actively interact with one another. Even small talk works as a tonic and helps in speedy recovery, especially when a person is lonely at home. There should be some delegation of responsibility among members in this regard. In today's fast-paced life it is essential we take time out to listen to the lonely and render help, if need be.

Family Matter

Rejoicing over Zaiyan Khan leaving for Canada to pursue higher studies

To say that the Club is “part of our extended family” sounds more like a cliché today. How many of us would rather say that our family is an extension of the Club?
Razia Khan can rightfully say so. Over the past ten years or so since she joined Big Laaf, she has been involving her family members with us so closely that today, they

Zaiyan Khan

have come to form an integral part of our lives – be it her son Sarfraaz, her daughter-in-law Tahira, or her two lovely grandsons, Zaiyan and Shayaan. For all that happens at home, we have always been a participant -- rejoicing with them, commiserating with them, sharing their hopes and anxieties, ambitions and expectations… all thanks to Razia.
So this morning, when she announced that Zaiyan would be leaving for Canada early next month

Razia Khan (in orange) shares a light moment with Shekhawat

to pursue his Masters in Computer Science, we were drawn into the celebration automatically. Happily, Razia had brought him along with his mother to the Garden and together we raised a congratulatory ‘fourth laugh’… before

Tahira (l) distributes sweets

devouring the sweets and cakes they had packed for us.
Zaiyan is a software engineer – all of 22, a strapping young man, brilliant in studies and always on the go. Today he finds himself at the threshold of a new life, verily a game changing moment in his career. We have watched him grow to this point, from a shy boy tagging on to the dupatta of his grandmother, playing with his little brother on our picnics, doing the moonwalk with earphones plugged to his head... It is therefore natural for us to take pride in his accomplishment but the truth is, he owes it all to his parents and of course, a doting grandma.
When Zaiyan visits the Garden next from Thunderbay, Ontario, many of us may not be around. But he can rest assured that our blessings shall always be with him, wherever he is and in whatever he does in life. Take care, Zaiyaan. And ALL THE BEST!

Razia Khan:
Thank you soooo much for your appreciation and blessings for my grandsons. I really appreciate this. Thanks once again from the core of my heart.

Zaiyan Khan:
I'd like to express my gratitude towards you all in my grandma's style: 'Mushkil raahon mein jo aasaan yeh safar lagta hai / Ye mere chaahne waalo ki duaon ka asar lagta hai'! Thank you :)

Karun Sharma:
When I asked Zaiyan for a message to us, his reply was, "Please remain young and keep praying for me." This is what makes for a happy family environment.

Nature’s Joke

Our jokes session in the 'dungeon'... sorry, China Hut

Arun Patil was right about the attendance today (see yesterday’s post). Extended Bakrid celebrations robbed us of the numbers, raising our total complement marginally by three or four. It was nice to have Yusuf Rassiwala and Nahid Siddiqui, among others back.
Another issue is the rain. Just when we thought that the worst was over, we are being treated to a protracted and somewhat whimsical monsoon that ruins our exercise routine. This has been our bane for the best part of July and August.
Today, when we arrived at the Garden, the sky looked clear – although the sun was not yet up. It was typically a sunless dawn. So from the China Hut, we moved out in the open to take in some fresh air. But midway through the exercises, the heavens opened up and we ran for our lives back into the China Hut.
Barely had we settled in when the rains stopped and it was once again, cool and breezy outside. Now we were caught in a quandary -- whether to move out or continue like fools inside the China Hut. We chose to stay fools. And funnily, the moment we wound up, the sun burst out in the sky!
At this rate, it would appear that nature is playing a joke on us, at our expense.

Eid al-Adha: 2018

We were a dozen today for the exercises

It was Eid al-Adha, or Bakrid -- commonly regarded as a festival of sacrificing goats. Attendance for the exercises was predictably down by half. Still, we were a dozen in the China Hut, in spite of intermittent showers since early morning.
Bijoy Gupta, for one, was mighty surprised to find his friend, Shekhawat present today. Or so he pretended: “How come you are here on Bakrid? Didn’t you know you are not supposed to be in the Garden today? You are an insult to Bakrid!”
Amid loud guffaws all around, Shekhawat

Hem Chand Jain

dismissed the query as the ranting of a “mad man”, only to encourage Gupta to prod further: “You are an insult to goats, do you hear me? Of all the days, why are you in the Garden on Bakrid today?”
Meanwhile, Arun Patil appealed to everyone to be regular, especially in the next couple of days “when the turnout is expected to be low due to baasi Eid”. Apart from the extended celebrations, the inclement weather and constant threat of a heavy downpour is taking a toll on daily attendance.
On a sad note, we regret to inform that Hem Chand Jain, a former member, has lost his second son. He had been ailing for some time. Hem Chand himself is a kidney patient, surviving on dialysis three times a week. He is hitting 90 today.
The saddest part for him, as a father, is to see two sons pass away in a short span of time.

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd):
It is sad to learn of the demise of Shri Hem Chand Jain's son. May God grant peace to the departed soul and courage to the family to bear this irreparable loss.

Karun Sharma:
Looking at the tragedy befalling Mr Hem Chand Jain, we must learn to appreciate the positives in our lives. Let us not take anything for granted and be grateful for even small things. Bakrid ki mubarak sab ko.

Bihari Milwani:
Poor Shekhawat, he had come to the Garden to collect grass for the goats before they were to be sacrificed. But seeing Gupta-ji's reaction he forgot all about it and returned home empty-handed.

Pot on Boil

Shekhawat (back to camera) broaches the movie idea

One of the basics of corporate management is that complacency must never set in in an organisation. Keep the pot constantly on the boil – even if it were to lead to chaos and confusion. For that is where the secret to loyalty, bonding and efficiency lies.
We try to follow this principle in our Club. There is always some activity or the other in the works to ensure that the churn continues and members stay invested. So after the series of Eid parties, the Independence Day celebration and before that, the Golden Valley picnic, we are now looking for a new activity to engage everybody – before complacency sets in.
Shekhawat today (at Kiran Prakash’s bidding) brought up the subject of a movie outing. The last movie we had gone together was last month – for Sanju (ref post of July 24). The one before that was Raazi, on June 25. So this month’s movie is now due – just that nobody is finding anything “good” among current releases.
But Shekhawat is undeterred. “Long time we have not gone for a movie,” he broached. “Why don’t we watch Gold? Or maybe, Mulk (Banoo Apa wanted to go for this)… Or whatever you say. Just decide upon something.”
Bijoy Gupta, as always, torpedoed the idea and demanded a lunch party at China Gate. “Gold is not China Gate,” he heckled Shekhawat, who incidentally, is expecting a huge raise in his monthly pension. “You had promised us breakfast, lunch and dinner, remember? Now you want to be done with some stupid movie!”
The pot is now on the boil. Watch this space.

Bihari Milwani:
But why does Gupta-ji want to go to China Gate? That is a movie almost 20 years old -- having been released on November 27, 1998. Gold is definitely a good movie. Everyone must go.

Deadpan Humour

Santosh Tyagi (l) holds her audience in thrall

Time was when our morning engagement in the Garden would not be complete without a jokes session. Jokes narration was considered mandatory and from the late Kishor Babani to Santosh Tyagi, Bhaswati Bose, Nahid Khan and Siba Prasad Maitra, we've had an array of jokesters adept at tickling our funny bone. Even Dilip Babani often pitched in with a joke or two.
Of all of them, today, there is only one person who is keeping that tradition alive – Santosh Tyagi. Every morning she comes prepared with notes – scribbled on scraps of paper – of what she must narrate after the exercises, time permitting. Unlike others, she does not read from a smartphone picking on stale Internet jokes and WhatsApp forwards.
Clearly, Santosh belongs to the old school and her selection of jokes amply reflects this. But more importantly, it is the style of narration that echoes her disposition. An exponent of deadpan humour, she can verbally present a rousing whopper without as much of a twitch of a facial muscle. Here’s a sample from what she narrated today:
“A bhootni (she-ghost) visited a salon for a haircut. The place was buzzing with activity. Unable to accommodate her, the owner of the salon apologized, saying she better come later. Obviously the bhootni was in a hurry for she went away, but not without giving the following instruction: ‘I am leaving my head behind for you to give a stepcut. I shall come back later and collect the head!’ The salon owner collapsed on the spot.”
Imagine this being narrated without a hint of emotion. That’s Santosh Tyagi for you.

Bihari Milwani:
I hope tomorrow Bhootni does not come to our club to prove that she had gone to the beauty parlour for a haircut.

Karun Sharma:
Bihari Milwani, you have created an excellent follow-up joke. Congratulations.

Day 2643

Pic of the Week

Forgotten photo of Indian Independence

I can recognise only the naval chief. --Bhaswati Bose

Why are they wearing gent's clothes when jointly they represent a married lady, 'MRS' -- Maitra + Rassiwala + Shekhawat? --Bihari Milwani

The Three Muskteers! -- Angad Singh

Kerala Effect

Partial washout due to incessant drizzle

The dark, gloomy weather these days is being attributed to the monsoon mayhem in Kerala. On last count, 324 lives have been lost to floods and landslides there. About 2.85 lakh people from more than 50,000 families have reportedly been rendered homeless and settled in 1,560 relief camps across the state.
Comparatively, we are living in paradise. True, we don’t see much of the sun but we are able to complete our exercises without sweat or panting for breath. In fact, going by Mumbai’s climate at

Gupta (l) practices the 'Shekhawat salute'

this time of the year, the mornings are quite pleasant and breezy. Today though, we faced a partial washout during the exercises due to a persistent drizzle of varying intensity.
Much as all this is manageable, what has become a cause for concern are the muddy patches in the Garden and puddles of stagnant water – areas that can cause an accident, should one not be extra careful. Of even greater concern is the possibility of contracting some water-borne disease and of course, malaria or dengue.
Bijoy Gupta is convinced that the little pools of stagnant water around the Garden are breeding grounds of the “deadly” dengue mosquitoes which have developed a taste for his blood only. He therefore does not wear shorts any longer and comes formally dressed, from top to toe. “You don’t know, the mosquitoes get very active early in the morning,” he explains.
Coming from a man who can never be serious about life, this is truly extraordinary.

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd):
The denuding of forests all over India is resulting in the floods. Had we taken care to plant trees while cutting old ones, we would have saved precious land and human lives. We are paying for our misdeeds. Hope we have learnt a lesson now.

Bihari Milwani:
After covering the legs with full pant, we should now start covering our arms with full-sleeve shirts.

Mark of Respect

Today's 'national mourning' on the death of former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee drew us into a piquant situation: Should we or should we not dispense with the laughter exercises?
The question hinged on Mohar Singh informing us that as a mark of respect to the departed soul, his group did not perform the laughter round this morning.

Should we... or should we not?

Clearly, the suggestion was that we too must follow suit.
When this was brought to the notice of Yusuf Rassiwala, Banoo Apa and Dilip Babani, two questions came to the fore. One, do laughter exercises amount to disrespecting the dead? And two, when was the last time we curtailed our exercises upon the death of a political figure?
On balance though, this is a non-issue. Suspending our laughter for a day makes no difference to anybody. We have done so countless times in the past -- upon the passing of a member or whenever there’s been bereavement in someone’s family. But that is purely out of the emotional connect we share collectively. As Banoo Apa put it, “The feeling comes from within.”
Now, stretching this to a political personality, whatever be his/ her stature, amounts to setting a precedent that will be hard to handle. After all, no politician is ever above controversy and no one ever wants to get caught in a political crossfire between admirers and critics.
As for persisting with our laughter routine, it was unanimously held that the intent is not to disrespect the deceased.

Depleting Stock

Arun Patil (l) wants to replenish his stock of caps

The cap issue has cropped up again. Mercifully, it is not about having to compulsorily wear them during the exercises. The issue this time is about depleting stocks and the need to replenish them.
“I am left with barely five or six pieces,” informed Arun Patil, the custodian of the club’s caps. “We need to get fresh stocks urgently. Rapid wear and tear has only increased their demand from members. After all, the current lot is more than two years old and has outlived its utility.”
Yusuf Rassiwala suggested sourcing caps of “durable and good quality fabric” even if we were to pay a little more. He pointed out flaws like fading colour, stitches coming apart and the caps losing shape – common complaints with the existing stock.
Arun seems to have already made inquiries in the market but has not been able to identify a fabricator or dealer prepared to handle “a small order” of less than 100 caps. “I’m going through the Just Dial services,” he said. “There is one supplier I could identify

Bijoy Gupta (bending down) is up to ribbing Shekhawat

in Andheri itself, who is showing some interest. Let me speak to him first.”
Over discussions, it was felt that we might even consider procuring ‘blank caps’ at a wholesale price and get the club logo printed on them, should it work out economical. “But let us not change the color and design,” Arun insisted. “Our blue caps have come to project a certain brand image that gives us a distinct identity automatically.”
He added that people keep requesting him for the Big Laaf Cap, whatever the price. “Some are even prepared to join the Club just to get a cap,” he revealed. “But when I tell them to be regular and punctual, they backtrack. They want to own a cap, but not to exercise!”
Meanwhile, Bijoy Gupta seems to be suffering from a major hangover from Independence Day. Since yesterday, he has been addressing Shekhawat as “zinda shaheed” (or living martyr). “We ought to felicitate him for the bullet wounds sustained in war,” he joked this morning. “Why didn’t anyone garland him at the function yesterday? It was a big blunder on our part!”
Shekhawat got the point and gave Gupta a fitting retort: “You should be the one to be garlanded. I will live for another 20 years… So don't worry about garlanding me.”

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd):
The colour of the cap certainly fades away after usage. There is a need to have fast colour and to improve the quality of the cloth of the cap.

Independence Day 2018

Yusuf Rassiwala opens today's Independence Day celebration

Bijoy Gupta

Last night, minutes before the clock struck 12, Bijoy Gupta made a frantic call. “My club cap is totally worn out,” he informed breathlessly.

Shekhawat performs ceremonial salute

“Tomorrow is Independence Day. I need to look good. Can Arun Patil be told to get me a new cap in the morning?”
Arun was woken up from deep sleep and the requisition placed.
But Gupta was not done: “I want a portable mike also,” he demanded. “I shall sing a patriotic song, 'Hum Hindustani' and everyone can join me in chorus. But Banoo Apa needs to be told to get her portable mike.”
Luckily Banoo Apa was awake at that midnight hour. She liked the idea and promptly offered to pitch in with a few patriotic numbers herself. “It will be a welcome departure from our routine celebrations,” she remarked.
Such is the level of excitement Independence Day generates in our Club members. This was also in evidence from

Banoo Apa adds to the morning melody

today's opening remarks

Pushpa gets calendar from Alvira

by Siba Prasad Maitra and Yusuf Rassiwala (himself a 1947-born, a month before India became free), the enthusiasm Shekhawat displays every year in sporting his medals and taking a ceremonial salute, the very act of unfurling the national tricolor… and of course, the medley of patriotic songs belted out by Gupta

Naseer gets calendar from Mrs Shekhawat

and Banoo Apa.
Sadly, the weather had to play spoilsport today.

Last man standing: Maitra
wraps up the tricolor

A freak thunder shower curtailed the customary march past, restricting us to the confines of a Garden shed. It descended the very moment the celebrations began and stopped miraculously when we were done.
Nevertheless, we had our share of memorable moments. It was still dry when Pushpa Gupta got her long-pending birthday calendar from the hands of a tiny tot, Alvira (Nahid Khan’s grand-daughter). And Naseer Putani Shah got to celebrate his birthday with soft, luscious dates and received his calendar from Mohan Kanwar Shekhawat (Shekhawat’s wife). Not many know that Naseer is a ‘midnight child’.
In the end, if there was someone we missed, it was Banoo Apa's son, Intekhab Alam. He is here from Jeddah on a holiday and had promised, since long, to drop by on Independence Day and join us on our celebration in the Garden. Alas, this was not to be.

Jana gana mana... Singing the national anthem

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd):
Despite bad weather, the gathering looks good for the Independence Day celebration. This is one event which needs to be celebrated with dignity and fervor. Good to see the josh. Keep it up!

The Day After...

Shekhawat invites all for Independence Day celebrations tomorrow

From barely five members for the exercises yesterday, the number shot to an incredible 19 this morning. Many had come only to hear stories of the picnic (ref yesterday’s post). And the rest were there eager to share their experience and rejoice in its afterglow.
“It was a very successful picnic,” declared Shekhawat at the outset. “We all enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Those who did not join have only themselves to blame. But then, what is the point of regretting now?”
Shekhawat went on to furnish details of accounts – of cash collected and expenses incurred: “I thought I saved Rs150, but now Arun Patil says that we owe him Rs250 for the tea and biscuits he treated us to in the morning. I have paid him Rs150 and told him to forget the rest!”
Bijoy Gupta was quietly observing Shekhawat with an amused look and as expected, got after him: “How do you remember so much? So far as I remember, you were sleeping all day at the resort. You were not in your senses for the most part!”
The chiding apart, everyone was unanimous in the view that it had been a day well spent. One after another, anecdotes floated around and of course, there were the usual jibes and jokes that emanate from an outing long overdue. This was one diversion from the routine that shall be cherished, at least till the next picnic.

Lt Col Angad Singh:
It is delightful to know that everyone enjoyed the picnic. An outing was needed to bring home the fact that daily routine should also be disrupted at times.

Golden Valley Resort

Photo op for the group at Golden Valley Resort

Cheers!

Water calisthenics?

Kajal Babani with hubby Dilip

Anjana Prakash with hubby Kiran

Amid predictable delays, a sudden cloudburst and the roar of laughter from the China Hut, the picnic bus took off from the Garden around 7:45 in the morning. A brief report from Golden Valley Resort, as narrated by Bhaswati Bose:
“We had great fun. The place was not very big as many of us had probably expected; but nobody was disappointed. It had everything for everyone like any other resort – be it a swimming pool or the sumptuous food on offer, an air-conditioned hall to chill

There's a real baby as well!

Santosh Tyagi narrates a joke

out, play games, sing and fool around… even a space for rain dance. What more could one ask for? Those looking for an afternoon tipple were also adequately rewarded!
“At our age, more than the place, it is the company that matters on any excursion. That we could bond well, let our inhibitions down and have a blast was all we were looking for.
"As the pictures alongside reveal, we got it all in good measure at the resort. It was a pity we had to return so soon, by the evening.”

Housie session in progress

Last dance before leaving?

Day well spent

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd):
Happy to note there was no dampening of the picnic spirit and all members enjoyed with gusto.

Karun Sharma:
We enjoyed every moment of the picnic. It was a long-awaited event, well-lived with a legacy to follow. Three cheers for Big Laaf.

Dilip Babani:
Picnic was very nice. All were happy to see nice resort, nice swimming pool, very nice weather. Everybody enjoyed nice songs and nice dance. Arun Patil played very nice songs. We played antakshari in the bus while going to resort and had very nice hot tea with samosa. We had very nice time with nice old songs and nice lunch and breakfast and very nice ac hall to play games. All enjoyed too much. But we missed all members who did not come. Hope next picnic will be blast!

Dr Anjana Prakash:
The picnic was indeed rejuvenating. We enjoyed each and every moment at Golden Valley Resort in the company of lively and fun-filled members. Of course, we missed those who did not join. Hope to see them next time around.

Day 2636

Pic of the Week

What would you say of this image?

Billi boli myau myau / Mein aau mein aau / Chuha bola thahar ja / Pahle chup ho jau... --Anonymous

Coaxing a cat is not easy. --Angad Singh

You can lead a cat to the milk, but you cannot make it drink. --Bhaswati Bose

Saturday Musings

This is what happens when rains interrupt our exercises

All those who thought they had pinned Bihari Milwani down on his ‘frock challenge’ (see yesterday’s post) had to think again. Little did the ladies imagine that he had taken a gamble with both ends secured – whether or not any one (or more) of them were to come wearing a frock on Monday, Milwani stood to lose nothing.
“I have hedged my bets,” he declared this morning, an impish smile on his lips. “Gupta and Shekhawat have committed to paying me for every lady who comes wearing a frock. So either way, I am safe. In fact, I stand to gain a lot should you turn up in frocks on Monday.”
The declaration came as a bouncer – much as Milwani had hinted about it in his comment on the blog post yesterday. Still, Siba Prasad Maitra sought a clarification: “You are saying that only after Gupta and Shekhawat pay up,

All set for the Monday picnic

will you pay the ladies?” Milwani nodded and walked away, still smiling to himself.
It took the ladies time to come to terms with this development. After discussing and figuring out what Milwani meant, they decided not to let him off the hook easily.

Planning for Independence Day celebration next Wednesday

Since he did not mention anything about the frocks, they now intend to come wearing “long frocks” on Monday. It was a last-ditch stand – just as long as they do not have to pay for the picnic!
Meanwhile, plans are afoot for the Independence Day celebration next Wednesday. Arun Patil is not sure if he would be away in Chennai on that day, but has boldly agreed to organise luddoos for the occasion! He would also hand over the jhanda (flag) and danda (pole), which are in his custody, before leaving for Chennai.
On the picnic front, Shekhawat announced that the bus would leave at 7:00 a.m. sharp and everybody better occupy their seats beforehand. It would be an hour-long journey and tea and biscuits would be served inside the bus. As for all others not going on the picnic, exercises would be held in the Garden, as per routine.

Bihari Milwani:
Dilip Babani has also agreed to sponsor 50 per cent of the ladies coming in frock. I am in win-win situation!

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd):
Bihari Milwani is a financial shark. He shall remain safe either way!

Karun Sharma:
This is a bouncer in the form of "long frock" from ladies. They have frocked the challenge intelligently. Now we need a Third Umpire.