Cold Wave Continues

The Mumbai winter does strange things to people. As dense fog hung over the Garden this morning (right pic), some perfectly sane and docile men suddenly took to punching the air without any provocation. Those known to hobble about with walking sticks, tried jogging in order to work up a sweat. Others appeared being chased by imaginary demons while taking the walking track at double clip. Many however, simply sat in a huddle, braving the morning chill. A few strayed around aimlessly, befriending strangers for a cigarette or bidi.
There were also those who pranced about in a false sense of bravado without any woollen on. “Abhi toh main jawaan hoon!” sang Nahid Khan as she turned up in a chic pink-and-white salwar-kameez combo and no pullover. Fifteen minutes later, she was crying, “Mujhko thand lag rahi hai, mujhse door tu na ja…” much to the consternation of ladies who repeatedly told her to shut up. “You will have all the old men descend on you,” warned Nafisa Sayyad, imitating a bunch of toothless geriatrics. But Nahid was just unstoppable, so badly had the cold hit her. She kept on singing.
Cricket also came in as a welcome diversion. After Pakistan defeating us at the Eden Gardens yesterday, a fierce debate broke out on whether the Indian team needs to be entirely overhauled or if recalling Sachin Tendulkar would do. Srichand Arora’s solution was the best: Replace the team with a playing eleven from the Laughing Club! “We would do a better job than those jokers,” assured Arora.
Meanwhile, Kiran Sajjan (right pic) had some good news. Her son is getting married this month-end and she wants the “pleasure of our company” at the reception in Lonavala on Sunday, January 27. For the benefit of guests “who want to stay the day to witness a traditional Marwari wedding”, around 110 rooms have been booked in a local hotel. Or else, we may combine our visit with a sight-seeing trip of Lonavala and drive back after dinner. The choice is ours – just that the family needs to be told beforehand. A formal invite should reach Shekhawat soon.
Harish Wadhwa:
* It was indeed cold this morning. The women seem to be all set to 'rocket off', as seen in the pic.
* On 27th January we can all attend the reception of Kiran-ji's son at Lonavala and return the same evening. It can be a nice outing as Lonavala is, after all, not too far.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Mr Shekhawat announced that on Saturday, January 12, sports would be organized at Borivali National Park (Charges Rs 300 per person). And on Saturday, February 2, there would be a picnic at Alibaug (night stay). Charges to be intimated shortly.