Parting Shot

Once again, a morning ideally to be in bed with a hot cup of tea. No wonder many regulars did not show up today. Both Santosh Tyagi and Sunita Jajodia came up with a brilliant idea – to suspend the exercises and have “hot-hot pakodas and chai at home". But whose "home" was not specified and we were left to our accursed fate - to brave the severe chill out in the open.
This was winter’s parting kick. Just when we thought that the worst was over for the season, the cold wave from the north has revisited us. We are told that it did not rain as much in Delhi in 70 years as it did two days back. The effect is now being felt in Mumbai. We can only thank our stars for being spared of a wet spell.
Nevertheless Ved Prakash Grover shivered and stuttered in his blue track suit and every time a gentle breeze blew across, he fell silent. Everyone inquired about Shekhawat who was supposed to have sworn off booze from February 1. With no ‘fuel’ in his veins, he had a good excuse to stay put indoors. But Harbans Kaur (left pic) sent word on being unwell with a chronic knee condition. She too did not want to take chances in the cold.
To infuse some warmth, Srichand Arora went about being his jovial self with some wisecracks and crazy throwaways. Nahid Khan chipped in with a few chirpy one-liners. Santosh too brought cheer by relating some jokes (lead pic) at the end of the exercises. But ultimately, it was the fierce bone-chilling cold that did us in.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* "Here are some jokes to keep you laughing. Hopefully the blood rush keeps us warm."
* "I may not feel too good now, but will be back soon."
Jagmohan Papneja:
Some plants require a certain degree of cold to bear flowers and fruit. Many vegetables come in winter... I love the winter season.