PICNIC AT LONAVALA

Lonavala was resplendent in its post-monsoon glory – the swirling mists lifting occasionally to reveal the lush greenery as it glistened in the intermittent drizzle with little rivulets snaking down the verdant hill slopes. The climate was simply divine, even as the temperature dropped sharply at night.
But that was not why we were there. After all, who hasn’t seen Bushi Dam or Tiger Point earlier? Who hasn’t stopped here en-route Pune to pick up Maganlal ckikkis and fudge? Many of us had also seen Rajmachhi Point and the other sights. So what’s left?
Well, where will you ever get to see Yusuf Rassiwala leading his wife to the dance floor and jiving like a carefree 20-year-old? Or Hari Singh Shekhawat and his wife striking a pose like coochy-kooing lovebirds? Where will you see Renu Babani breaking into a frenetic twist on that crazy Pritam Chakraborty number, ‘Let’s Twist’? Or a stern-looking Nahid Khan letting her hair down and cavorting with the rest? And Bhaswati Bose collapsing into an embarrassing heap while negotiating a chair? Or Dilip Babani galloping into the mist on a camel, his wife desperately clinging to him for dear life? Many of them would never do any of these things in the company of family members or even close friends.
This is what the Club picnic does to you. To be your unguarded self. There were also some sobering moments, such as the time an elderly paraplegic (a complete stranger) joined us with a soulful Hemant Kumar song, standing on his crutches. It was also big-time bonding time – whether it was with the usually reserved like Santosh Tyagi, Tara Chand Seth and Geeta Sandana, or at the other extreme, with the Babanis, Boses and Shekhawat chilling out over the stolen pleasures of drinking in Dilip-bhai’s room.
And then, who can forget Yusuf-bhai’s expression when he emerged triumphant in the Musical Chair round? Or how Kishor, Bhaswati and Shekhawat monopolized the Housie rounds. Arun Patil was livid at Rehana (right) for not being attentive enough when he already held a full house. Thereafter, it was a sight to behold as Rehana kept pleading with Yusuf-bhai in the next round for calling out the numbers she needed. “Kya taqleef hota hai 15 bolney se?” she demanded.
This lady is a natural wit. And she doesn’t even realize when she’s funny, be it with her one-liners, imitating a Dharmendra or Jeetendra jig, doing a Salman Khan from Dabangg or while singing 'Chaand chhupa badal mein' in a quaint anglicised accent during the Antakshari round. She was the most energetic and voluble among us, although she has been advised strictly against dancing because of her spinal injury. But who can stop Rehana Shaikh!?!
Anything could have gone wrong during the two-day trip. Nothing untoward happened. What’s more, money was refunded, thus bringing down the excursion cost to a mere Rs 830 per head. What mattered most though was the joy this picnic brought us, which no amount of money can ever buy. And finally, for the anti-climax: The chap who drove us all the way to Lonavala and back did not possess a driving license. Naturally, the cops stopped our bus – at Juhu Circle, a couple of kilometres away from home turf. But then, that was also part of all the fun and games!

Bhaswati Bose says:
Hey, I fell down while attempting to take my seat in the Musical Chair round and I was not embarrassed as I lasted till the final four. What a picnic! The most carefree and fun-filled time we ever had.
--Bhaswati

Renu Babani says:
Yes, most definitely, the interaction was so much fun and interesting. Great to see everyone just enjoying every minute of their time spent together. The feedback the following day was filled with non-stop praises from start to finish. It must have been the atmosphere for sure because everyone got on so well. It was amazing. The ladies were happy as they got a holiday from the kitchen, which is so rare, and they made the most of it for sure. A huge thank you to all the organisers who ensured that everything went smoothly. This goes to show one can have fun no matter where, as long as we are together and ensure that we look after one another as well. Mr Shekhawat is being asked in regards to the next trip but of course, not so soon.
--Renu