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!