In Memoriam

A pall of gloom has settled over the Club. Although declared an off-day, we assembled as usual this morning for what turned out to be an impromptu condolence meeting. It seemed as though the entire Garden was mourning the passing away of Mrs Sharma (see pic). Even the otherwise restless mynahs, crows and sparrows in the garden were unusually quiet today. The air was still. It was cloudy, but did not rain.
A two-minute silence was observed in the memory of the departed soul, after which Shekhawat-ji delivered an impassioned speech on the inevitability of death and urged all members to bond together as one family, sinking all differences and ill-feelings while moving on in life. However, all birthday celebrations, get-togethers and parties scheduled for the month have been suspended.
Last evening, Shekhawat, Arora, Yusuf-bhai, Sitaram, Rane, Bhatt and Dilip, among others, accompanied Mrs Sharma's body on its final journey, to Oshiwara Crematorium. Mr Sharma, who had rushed back from Delhi, could barely spend an hour with his wife before she was taken away for the last rites. He was completely disoriented, overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation.
There is some loose talk and conflicting opinions floating around on how the tragedy could have been averted, but all that is irrelevant. Fact is, we will never get Mrs Sharma back. She belonged to us, collectively and individually. And now she has been snatched away, for ever.
The baithak, in her honour, has been scheduled for Sunday, July 18, at 4.00pm at the Sharma residence: D-4, 403 Krishna-Kaveri, Yamuna Nagar, Andheri (West), Mumbai – 400 053.
P.S. In anticipation of a heavy turnout, the venue of the baithak has now been shifted to Lokhandwala Garden No 4. The date and time remain unchanged.