Grin and Endure

Santosh Tyagi's jokes' session

Canadian cookies and chocos, courtesy Renu Babani

Another dull and dreary day – the third in succession and the weather isn’t getting any better. Ram Shankar Shukla could not take the heat yesterday and withdrew from the exercises midway to take a breather. Before long Razia Khan followed, complaining of giddiness. Today, Shukla did not turn up, but Razia did. And then it was the turn of her friend, Ruksana Khan to retire to a bench in similar manner and continue with the free-hand exercises, solo and seated.
The soaring morning temperature is not only energy-sapping but leaves everyone soaked to the bones in sweat. There is no option but to grin and endure. Those who cannot take it turn irritable, silent, stone deaf or suddenly, for no reason, start snapping at one another. Nobody has any patience for niceties – even for the exercises to progress in the normal course. Everyone wants to hurry, anxious get the hell out of the Garden at the earliest.
Even Santosh Tyagi’s jokes’ session, which used to be a major draw at the end of the exercises, hardly draws an audience these days. This morning, she had barely half-a-dozen of her fans, politely indulging her for their daily naashta. The rest had already decamped to occupy benches in the shade, or better still, be under the fan in the Chinese Hut.
The only happy interlude in this unending ordeal was Renu Babani registering her return from Canada with packets of cookies and chocolates. Actually she was back last Monday, but needed time to get over the jet lag. She looked amazingly cheerful and upbeat in the maddening heat – an obvious carryover from the wonderful vacation she must have had with her son, Prakash who is settled there.
Renu Babani:
* Heat or not, attending exercises is essential to boost oneself in the morning. My cheerfulness is due to the fact that I am yet in Canada in spirit.
* Went to see Mr Rane today. God bless that family. What courage and motivation! Despite his illness, he was completely aware of his guests and his family's support not a complaint but a positive attitude no matter what. Kudos to all of them.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Thank you Mr and Mrs Babani for the delicious cookies and chocolates on a warm, cosy day. Your presence made them all the more enjoyable.