Big Deal!

Today was the birthday of a highly respected and the senior-most lady member of our Club, Santosh Tyagi (below, right). Razia Khan made the announcement and in keeping with tradition, we raised an ‘extra laugh’ in her honour (after our customary three laughs) and everybody went up to wish her individually on the occasion.
Santosh-ji wishes to treat us at the Chinese Hut on February 12 (Saturday) together with Vasudev Batheja (whose birthday was on February 1) and Mumtaz Jahan (whose birthday falls on February 14). Another lady, who wants to celebrate her son’s birthday with us, would also be pitching in for the joint celebration.
And thereby hangs a tale.
Not many know this fourth person well, although we have been seeing her often in the Garden. She is not a member and is not interested in being one. She does not take part in our exercises. But she manages to gain entry into our parties by virtue of being friendly with a few members. Other members feel that by contributing to the joint celebration on Saturday, she would legitimize her "backdoor entry" to all parties in future.
Now, this puts Shekhawat (below, left) in a fix. He has already announced that barring personal guests of the hosts, our parties are meant strictly for members. But here, for the first time, he has a non-member playing host and does not know how to deal with her. He kept taking Mumtaz and Santosh aside, talking to them separately in a bid to resolve the issue. His suggestion of incorporating the fourth person as a ‘guest’ is not acceptable as it would not only set a precedent, but could lead to inflated guest lists in future for which other contributing members would have to bear the burden. And to bar this person now from the Saturday bash would be downright rude.
Somehow, Vasudev Bhateja is quite cool about a few extra people joining the parties even as yesterday, Srichand Arora tried to reason out that “party ka kachra ho jata hai” when ample provision is not made for freeloaders. Genuine members would get left out. Besides, how do you pick your guests if entry is open to all and sundry?
Complicated as this may all sound, it is really no big deal. How does it matter if someone gets left out or that there’s not enough to go around because of some extra mouths to feed? Nobody takes such things to heart. It can happen in any family, any time. In the Club we are family – to rejoice with everybody when the occasion arises. That is what matters, ultimately.
Renu Babani says:
Since I shall be away this weekend, here's wishing everyone who is celebrating their birthdays: Many happy returns of the day from Kishor and myself; may you have many more and God bless. Shall return to the Garden by the 15th/16th. Meanwhile, will keep in touch via this blog. Shall pray for all of you while in Shirdi and may His Blessings be upon all of you, no matter where you are.
--Renu