Gandhi Jayanti

On Gandhi Jayanti day, it was but natural that Bapu Rane should be the centre of all attention. This completely bald lookalike (right) of the Mahatma had come fully fortified with his patented pranks, crazy jokes, rustic wisecracks, the impromptu jigs he performs for no rhyme or reason… His antics were all the more enjoyable as the weather had cooled down considerably, thanks to the freak thunderstorm last evening.
But Bapu was also a worried man. India plays South Africa this evening in a do-or-die match of the T20 World Cup and he is pinning his hopes on Virat Kohli. “He was the one to chitkao Pakistan,” he reminded those who cared to listen. Then suddenly, as if to distract himself, he claimed being a true blue-blooded Rajput from Rajasthan – his forefathers being Ranas (as in Rana Pratap of the Mewar dynasty) who settled in Maharashtra and became Rane over time.
Pratap Bhatt (left, top) spoiled his party when he summoned Rane to accompany him to the toilet midway through the exercises. This is a regular practice we cannot help but notice every day, just that today Shekhawat decided to dub them “Bathroom Jodi”. The moment he heard it, Rane came scurrying back, leaving Bhatt to his own devices answering nature’s call.
Meanwhile, alarm bells are being sounded on the condition of those who attended the Eid party last week and have since stopped coming to the Garden. Shekhawat accosted Razia Khan on whether she had any clue. “What kind of party did you organize?” he demanded with particular reference to the disappearance of Yusuf Rassiwala (bottom right). While everyone debated on whether it would be appropriate to call him then or later, Tara Chand (bottom left) came up with a gem: “Party unko khaa gaya!” End of discussion.
Srichand Arora (from Singapore):
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