Windfall!

Monthi and Bhaswati busy collecting cash for Darjeeling-Gangtok

The Club today witnessed a rare but hilarious sight of a ‘cash shower’ on two unlikely persons – Monthi Serrao and Bhaswati Bose. With one day left for bookings to close on the Darjeeling-Gangtok tour (ref post of October 10) the two ladies were hard-pressed on counting the cash from members eager to join the excursion. The bookings were made on a first-come first-served basis as no more than 20 people can be accommodated this time.
The fun part was when Bhaswati and Monthi panicked upon realizing they had collected more than a lakh of rupees – money they had neither expected nor knew how to handle. The bigger question was how to ‘transport’ the money home. “So many people in the Garden have seen us counting the cash here,” Bhaswati mused.

Santosh Tyagi

“What happens if somebody were to follow us outside the Gate and mug us?”
The ladies were obviously planning to split the money between them and walk out with the currency notes stuffed in their pockets. “If that were to happen, it can happen inside the Garden also, right here and now,” countered an equally nervous Monthi. "What can we do if somebody grabs all this money and runs out at full speed?'
The two sat on a bench and reflected aloud on all possible worse-case scenarios till they were thoroughly shaken out of their wits. Ultimately, Santosh Tyagi offered to play bodyguard and instill some confidence in them. It was decided that Monthi should keep all the cash and Santosh would escort her home, preferably in an autorickshaw.
“You should not be walking home today,” Santosh cautioned her. “If someone attempts to strike a conversation on your way out, pretend you are deaf. Be on your guard, fully alert. Do not wish anyone even if the person looks familiar. And under no circumstances must you stop while walking towards the Gate. Just smile at people if you have to and keep on walking till you get into an autorickshaw. Don’t worry, I am with you!”
From all appearances, it was MISSION SUCCESSFUL.
Jagmohan Papneja:
I feel it was the duty of all those who had paid the booking amount to drop Monthi-ji home safely. Finally it was Santosh Tyagi-ji who extended help voluntarily to escort her. This act of hers is quite appreciable.