Damage Control

After yesterday’s brouhaha, peace and tranquility descended on the Garden. The club’s biggies had swung into action last evening (see final comment on yesterday’s post) and the results were there for all to see today. Still, by way of abundant caution, those intrepid firefighters had gathered in full strength (including Razia Khan and Yusuf Rassiwala) in case a need arose for further damage control. Even Kajal Babani and Kiran Sajjan were present, not wanting to take chances!
But there was really no need to be on high alert. Kishor Babani had already set the mood early morning by offering to go online and book one-way tickets on Make My Trip.Com for those who cared to pay a visit to the good god above. Srichand Arora too regaled everybody, at one point rebutting a pointed joke on his receding hairline as a sign of old age. “C’mon, I have seen many babies born, completely bald!” he quipped.
Even Ram Shankar Shukla and Ved Prakash Grover were at their ebullient best, repeatedly cutting in with one-liners and wisecracks. And by the time Hari Singh Shekhawat walked in jauntily, sporting that trademark smile, the past had been conclusively buried in all-consuming bouts of laughter and merriment.
The only bother was Hari Naraiyani (left), who had rejoined yesterday after his 21-day pilgrimage to Beas (near Amritsar). For an 83-year-old, he had been maintaining himself well. But now, for once, he looked dangerously frail and his voice has turned very feeble. Yesterday Kishor had to interrupt him in his exercises and make him rest on a bench with a bottle of water. Today Hari-bhai came to the Garden, but excused himself from the start. We just hope it is nothing more than fatigue and the oppressive morning heat that is telling on him. He surely needs some rest.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* "Follow me and I shall show you the way to a beautiful path!"
* "I am so tired and weak. Hope I can regain my stamina soon."
Srichand Arora:
* OUR DEAR HARI-BHAI IS STRONG ENOUGH. I'M SURE HE WILL GET BACK HIS STRENGTH SOON.
* Hi! Did you all mark that by the end of next week, we will cross 1,00,000 views? We deserve two extra, very loud laughs at that time. So please be ready and clear your chests...
Kishor Babani:
PEACE PREVAILS, THANKS TO OUR SENIORS FOR RESTORING NORMALCY.
Harish Wadhwa:
* Laughs se kaam nahin chalega, Arora-ji. Fafda-jalebi mangta hai. Bahut samay se nahin hua. 100,000 hits is no small achievement and we need to celebrate the hard work of all members, including the Guru Gyan of Kishor-da, Picspeak from Renu-ji, the harqats, pranks and blabber-blabber of the newsmakers, the sharing of memorable pictures for Pehchan Kaun, etc.
* Nice to see some dummy ads flashing on the side panel. This will surely send a signal to potential advertisers. Please also give one email id and phone number on the first ad: "Contact Mr... on phone... for ads in these spaces".
Srichand Arora adds:
Harish-bhai, my promise for fafda-jalebi stands, the day viewer hits touch six figure. On the first dummy ad, contact numbers are given. You just get us an ad from your company -- even on a discounted price and with commission of 10%... jalebi-fafda toh kahin gaya nahin naa!