New Motormouth

The helicopter tickets for Vaishno Devi have come in. Today, while Arora distributed copies of the passenger manifest and flight schedule, a minor glitch was detected. Jagmohan Papneja (pic alongside) and wife Rita Papneja have been booked on separate flights. While many explained it away as a common occurrence and that the seats can always be “adjusted” (with someone traveling alone, like Arun Patil), there remained a niggling doubt that the authorities at Katra might not agree. After all, every booking is made on the basis of identity proof, by virtue of which a passenger obtains insurance cover for a particular flight.
Surprisingly, the man to be affected by this slip-up, remained cool as a cucumber. Rather than getting worked up, Jagmohan was at his chirpiest best, explaining while exercising how helicopters operate at Vaishno Devi. Shekhawat was all ears listening to how “dukr-dukr the choppers take off one by one, and in eight minutes, dukr-dukr they land”. So taken in was he by Jagmohan’s “dukr-dukr” narration that while others were doing the butterfly exercise, he was absent-mindedly performing lein-dein… till Nahid Khan stopped mid-session and Arora had to physically pull Shekhawat out and away from Jagmohan.
But Jagmohan was unstoppable. Otherwise a man of few words, he had become exceptionally garrulous today. Now he had a new audience in Bose. And again, Nahid Khan shook her head in exasperation. Seeing her expression, Jagmohan launched off on a “doctor friend” who was shocked to learn that Tara Chand could be photographed holding a cricket bat (yesterday’s post). “Tomorrow, you will put a pistol in his hand and implicate him in a murder,” the doctor said. “Why pistol, we already have Nahid Khan in uniform brandishing a stengun!” Jagmohan had replied.
Hearing the word “stengun”, Shekhawat quickly slunk back to his original place in the circle. Till then, he had been desperately straining his ears for snatches of Jagmohan's stories.
Srichand Arora:
Dear Papneja, don't worry at all. The problem will be sorted out once we reach Katra. Till then, just keep laughing!
Jagmohan Papneja:
Thank you so much, Arora-ji for your good gesture. I really acknowledge your kindness.

Trick Photography

Cricket addicts Tara Chand Seth and Vijay Bhai did not see the blog yesterday – so preoccupied were they with the India-Australia Test match on TV.
Thus, when they were repeatedly congratulated this morning for their "magnificent performance” on the field at Hyderabad, both dismissed the compliments as nothing but orchestrated leg pulling.
Even after Srichand Arora fished out his iPhone and showed them their picture in the blog, they were unbelieving. Tara Chand’s eyes popped out only for a moment, but he soon got his composure back. “This is not me,” he said confidently. “Aur koi hoga. I have never held a cricket bat in my life.”
By then Vijay Bhai had joined in, holding on to his walking stick. Arora scrolled up and zoomed in on the wicket-keeper’s face. Now Tara Chand was convinced. “But when did I wear this white shirt-pant, helmet-shelmet… Kamaal hai!” he exclaimed, studying his close-up on the iPhone and grinning (pic above).
But Vijay Bhai was not convinced. “I always wear a white cap,” he pointed out. "How did it turn deep blue?” Arora explained it was a helmet, not cap. Vijay Bhai was still foxed, unable to figure out how the colour of his cap could change. “Kamaal hai,” Tara Chand intoned again. “Here people’s body-shody is being altered and you are complaining about the colour of your cap?”
It was an amazing sight -- the look of childish wonder and puzzlement on the faces of two elderly gentlemen, innocent to the ways of digital technology. Arora promised to gift them a print each of the photograph for keeps.
The other happy event of the morning was Bapu Rane (right pic) rejoining us for the exercises. It is nearly three months since he has been suffering from acute intestinal infection and only now, after being treated by an ayurvedic doctor for the past 20 days, does he find some relief. But he has pulled down considerably and even had to alter his trousers. We welcomed him back with an extra laugh – if that should raise his spirits.
Harish Wadhwa:
* The intent of a Sunday pic is achieved when people adoring it (or their friends and relatives) share a hearty laugh. Their smiling faces today speak of the pleasure. Good work Monster.
* Wish you good health Rane-ji.
Jagmohan Papneja:
The behaviour of Tara Chand Seth and Vijay Bhai indicates a common state of mind of seniors. They are struggling to unravel the mystery behind a happening. One should tell them that everything is possible in the world of technology.

Day 934

Pic of the Week

So this is how India is playing Australia in Hyderabad!

Renu Babani:
My eye is on the ball. A surprise sixer for the wicket keeper!
Jagmohan Papneja:
* How do you all feel about the future of Indian cricket when senior persons have the zeal to play? Obviously, India is going to win the Hyderabad Test against Australia.
* Ek dafa ka jikar hai ke Lokhandwala Garden No 4 mein BIG LAAF A aur B team ka cricket match ho raha tha. Aur akhir mein Tara Chand Seth jeet gaya.
Bhaswati Bose:
The Indian batsman is heading towards a century.
The wicket keeper cannot be an Australian... He's looking far too happy!
Harish Wadhwa:
* Good pic of the two die-hard cricket fans. Dho dalna aaj to buss Tara Chand-ji sweep shot se!
* Hamare pyare Vijay Bhai-saab ke liye: "Koi lauta de mere beete hue din / Beete hue din vo ahe, cricket aur pyaar ke pal chhin..."

They Also Count

Whether it is our penchant for laughter or the blue caps we wear... or anything else that distinguishes us as a group that meets unfailingly at seven every morning, exclusivity is surely not our strength. We are as much part of the Garden as anyone else is part of us. And it is this ‘openness’ at including everyone that has added to all the joy and merriment in our lives.
From the man who sells milk packets at the gate to the ‘vaanar sena’ (as Nahid Khan puts it) on a cemented platform at the far end of the Garden, every person around is part of our expanding family. Like the lady in black and the three little children (above), many join us for the exercises without as much as introducing themselves. Others may not exercise, but share a bonding like any other member.
Take Rehana Sheikh (left pic), Shekhawat’s go-to girl and a regular at all our picnics and parties. The same goes for Banoo Khan (right pic) who has always stood by us, even celebrating her birthdays and festivals with us. Or the cricket-loving Vijay-bhai who keeps a tab on every member and becomes genuinely concerned when he does not see someone for some time. Or Mohammad Abbas, who gets medicines at super-discounted rates…
There are also the many dozens on the walking track with whom most of us share more than a passing acquaintance – like the man who must huff and puff like a steam engine every morning, or even the lady who tends to topple off a bench while meditating. There is also an elderly man whose mission in life is to defy his wife’s ban on smoking and visits the Garden only to steal a few quiet puffs. The other day he collared a lady, accusing her of being a “spy” who tattles to his wife. Now what do you say of such people – except that they make life so very beautiful!
Harish Wadhwa:
People of all age, faith, religion, pati-pratadit/ patni pratadit, escapists, yoga/ meditation buffs, Baba Ramdev followers, mischief mongers, bird watchers, health freaks, topi-baaz, toilet-goers, khabri-lal, showoffs, gossipers, actors, professionals, poets, comedians, judo-karate men/ women... well you can meet people of all sorts at this garden. This is what makes it beautiful.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* "Hey, even we kids enjoy exercising... So we joined the fun!"
* "Yes, we are smiling because we are happy to be together."

Target Practice

Now that the hassles of helicopter booking (yesterday’s post) are behind us, attention has shifted back to the Pehchaan Kaun picture featured last Sunday. We are down five days since the seventh edition of this popular guessing game was announced and with exactly another five days to go for the results to be announced, excitement is fast building up in the Garden. Even relatively reticent members like Shekhawat and Arun Patil were today seen merrily taking pot shots at identifying the 'mystery lady' in the photograph.
From the names floating about (and the replies received, though unpublished) so far, it would appear there are four prime targets: Kiran Arora, Monthi Serrao, Kiran Sajjan and Sunita Jajodia. The lesser suspects include Qadeer Bano (surprisingly!) and Neelam Garg. One member, who has the reputation of being infallible and absolutely spot-on at recognizing faces, has named Sandhya Narang!
The tougher part though is answering the set of questions that accompany the picture. Almost everyone has been able to negotiate the ‘number of children’ part. Even the ‘married/ not married’ poser has met with a fair degree of accuracy. But the real clincher is guessing the age when the picture was taken. For the benefit of those who are still confused, a full-length photograph of the lady appears alongside – if this must make life easier!
You have time till March 6 (midnight) to submit your entries, but do remember, there is always an early bird advantage. In the event of a tie, the correct entry received earlier will be declared winner. The trophy cannot be shared.
Bhaswati Bose:
She is my 'jigar' Kiran Sajjan. She was 'sweet 16' and unmarried then. She has 3 children now.
Harish Wadhwa:
Clubwale: "Kya khoob lagti ho/ Badi sunder lagti ho..."
Monthi-ji: "Phir se kaho, kehete raho, acchha lagta hai/ Jeevan ka har sapna aur pehchan kaun ab sachcha lagata hai..."
Harish Wadhwa adds:
"Tab tum 20 ki lagti thi / Ab badi lagti ho!"
Kiran Arora:
Yeh toh meri saheli, Monthi hi hai naa? Aur yeh tasveer shadi ke bahut pehle ki hai jab woh sirf 21 saal ki thi. Haan, ab woh oos umar se toh bahut aage nikal gayi hai, par phir bhi 3 bachchon ki ma hote huey bhi uska chehra wohi 21 saal ka lagta hai. Main hoon Kiran Arora.
Santosh Tyagi:
The picture belonging to Monthi-ji was taken when she was married.