Late Lateefs

Sitaram Hivarkar ambles in... as usual

Latecomers also have a sense of punctuality in a way. Nowhere else in the universe would you find a set of people who are forever running late and yet, would make sure to show up individually midway through the exercises at a self-appointed time. For instance, Monthi Serrao’s timing for entry is permanently set to our breathing exercises – not one exercise earlier, not one exercise late.
Likewise, Sitaram Hivarkar’s reporting time coincides with us massaging our faces and pulling our ears. Khatoon Baig can be trusted to show up only after the ‘swimming’ exercises. Bhaswati Bose likes being greeted every morning by the spectacle of gyrating hips (for the Nachh Baliye round). Similarly, Bihari Milwani is always on the dot when all of us are settling for the Kissa Kursi Ka exercise. And Kiran Makharia marks her presence at the fag end of the exercises, just as we’d be dispersing. “She comes punctually to put a lock on the day’s proceedings,” observes Ved Prakash Grover.

Samel celebrates his 81st birthday

Chikki treat from Jagmohan Papneja

Significantly, these latecomers are all regulars, but they will not set their morning alarms (or mobile phones) back by say, a half hour to be in time. At least they’d be saved the ignominy of being viewed as what Shekhawat calls ‘Puncture Party’ – as in vehicles with tyre punctures. Sitaram says he gets delayed because of a “water problem” in his building, but refuses Srichand Arora’s help to set it right. Monthi needs to do some walking around before heading towards the Garden. Bhaswati says she cannot bend because of a back problem and comes only for the non-bending exercises. Everybody has some excuse.
Yet Jagmohan Papneja was gracious enough to reward everyone this morning with chikkis he had brought from a retreat at Lonavala. And to top it, he gifted Bhaswati with an Aam Admi party cap, which she wore around proudly in the Garden and even attended the birthday celebration of ‘Samel The Sales Tax Man’. He has turned 81. This is wishing him many more years of good health and happiness.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Some people are bound by old habits that they are not ready to change.
Harish Wadhwa:
Some 'late lateefs' have also been maaroing phunti -- like me!