Born… or Hatched?

Another day of new beginnings – the Sindhi New Year, commemorating the birth of Jhulelal, the 10th century mystic and patron saint of the Sindhis. So here’s wishing the Aroras, the Babanis, Hari Naraiyani and all other friends the very best on the occasion: Cheti Chand jyon lakh lakh wadayun athav!
Today also marks Hari Singh Shekhawat stepping into his 71st year – which became a huge joke by itself. For no sooner did he mention this than he was cornered over his “actual” date of birth. As per Club records, the date given is April 27. The ladies were particularly curious and to the amusement of all, Shekhawat-ji had no explanation as to how it could conflict with dates on the Hindu calendar.
So he took another tack. He explained that at the time of joining service in the Navy, he had deliberately reduced his age by three years and since then, April 27, 1941 has stood as his “official” date of birth. This, he said, was the practice in those days when there were no birth certificates and nobody had any means of verifying anybody’s birth.
“But surely there was a date in your school certificate?” asked Monthi Serrao incredulously.
This stumped Shekhawat. At first he tried to wriggle out by saying that there was nothing authentic about his school records also. Then he revealed that since his intention was to reduce his age, he did not produce a school certificate. Then to further confuse everybody (main pic) he spun a story of his mother recalling a major cyclone hitting the village when he was born and accordingly, she fixed an arbitrary date of birth for him.
“Toh, final kya hua?” persisted Monthi-ji, by now completely confused.
Shekhawat-ji had no answer. In trying to clear the air, he had unwittingly landed himself in a mix-up and produced at least three probable birth dates, none of which made any sense. When realization dawned, he just laughed and laughed at himself, prompting everybody to tease him on whether he could at least be sure if he was born… Or was he probably hatched!?!
Renu Babani says:
Good one! And real confusion... looks like this morning. At least everyone was entertained and left the Garden in high spirits.
--Renu
Harish Wadhwa says:
1. I wonder how a man with otherwise such a clear and good conscience, can do that when he was young. Shekhawat-ji ka jawaab nahin! We enjoyed listening to all this as much as he enjoyed sharing it with us. God bless him with a long and great life!
2. My dear Arora-sahab, Kishor-bhai, Dilip-bhai, Motwani-ji, Hari-bhai and other Sindhi friends, "Cheti Chand joon tavahan sabhin khe lakha lakha vadhayun!" Matlab ki baat: I have heard you people make mithe chaawal (taheri) and kale chane? So who's getting them tomorrow? Jai Jhoolelal
--Harish