Arrivals and Departure

Teja Singh takes leave of the Club for two months

End of another week and the beginning of a month. February is over and March begins. Sardar Teja Singh Bhambra leaves for Faridabad and Harish Kumar Wadhwa visited us for the first time after his accident. And Ved Prakash Grover’s son, Dharmendra paid us a surprise visit.
Teja Singh is actually leaving tomorrow, but since Sunday happens to be our weekly day off, he had to say his goodbyes today. He has been our most definitive timekeeper for flagging off the exercises every morning. Such is his reputation for punctuality that only when he appears at the Garden gate would we know that it is exactly 7:00 a.m. and thereafter, do we prepare to start our day.

The Grovers: Father & Son

So when we were told that Teja Singh would leave for Faridabad on March 2, Srichand Arora’s instant response was: “It won’t be 7’o clock after that!” Although said in jest, it was the most profound compliment anyone could give to a dear friend and comrade. Indeed, we shall all be missing Teja Singh until he comes back after two months – as he has promised.

Harish Wadhwa calls on his well-wishers

Harish’s visit today was entirely pre-planned as many members had been asking to meet him after hearing of his accident in a Ranchi hotel three weeks back (see post of February 11). His fractured collar bone has been strapped together in place with a clavicle sling (under his shirt) and even as Harish made light of his situation, he was in considerable distress in spite of painkillers.
A number of ladies spontaneously invoked Allah’s blessings aloud – one even advising Harish to sacrifice something valuable to ward off the evil eye. “In our side, we would give away a cow,” Mumtaz Jahan recommended. Whether he would comply or not, it was extremely chivalrous of Harish to visit the Club so early in the morning, rather than have members call on him at home.
All we can say is ‘Get well soon, Harish’! Nobody deserves to go through such agony – least of all he.
Harish Wadhwa:
Thank you so much for your good wishes. With the grace of God and your good wishes, I am recovering fast and would be back soon.
Jagmohan Papneja:
It was a pleasant surprise to see Harish-ji in the Garden with a smiling face. We know he had to undergo a tremendous experience after the fractured collar bone. He has overcome the odds and appeared stronger because of his will power. Hats off to you Harish-ji! You are a role model for BIG LAAF. Keep it up.