Fresh Blood

from l to rt: Shekhawat, Siba Maitra, Nand Ram and Bijoy Gupta

There’s a new bee buzzing in Bijoy Gupta’s bonnet. Every morning he enters the Garden singing to the tune of a yesteryear hit: “Dekh tere sansar ki halat kya ho gayi bhagwan…” He substitutes sansar with 'club' and bhagwan with 'chairman'… You get the drift.
Gupta blames Shekhawat squarely for what he perceives as “decline of the club” and the steady drop in attendance during exercises. He is convinced that as chairman, Shekhawat is ineffective and totally incapable of holding the club together.
“Presenting flowers to ladies for coming late is no way to ensure punctuality,” he chided Shekhawat today. “Don’t you realise how silly this looks? You are supposed to put up a stern front – a strict disciplinarian and taskmaster. You should assert your authority as chairman.”
Shekhawat of course, is least bothered. But on one count, he takes Gupta seriously.

Shekhawat presents flower to Naseem Khan

He agrees that it is time to infuse fresh blood, particularly youngsters who can take the Club forward. He too believes that not much can be expected from the present members who are past their prime and bogged down by age-related issues.
So when Gupta suggested we take out pamphlets inviting people to join Big Laaf, Shekhawat was all for it. “We shall mention the health benefits of our exercises, the extra activities we keep having, the many birthday parties, picnics and outstation trips, cultural programmes… I am sure people will find them attractive and join.”
This morning Gupta came up with a brand new idea. “Why don’t we organise a havan in the Garden?” he suggested. “I am not joking. We need to overcome the dull spell we are faced with. Once we do a havan, believe me, people would start thronging to the Club.”
For all his outward hostility, deep inside Shekhawat appreciates Gupta’s concern for the Club. So today, he produced a new member – a young man, Nand Ram who exercised with us from start to finish. “He is from Kota, Rajasthan,” Shekhawat said with pride while introducing the man. “But he has been in Bombay for 20 years. He works as a recordist in films. He wants to join us.” Gupta was impressed!