‘Green Day’

The three green 'Laughing Buddhas' of the morning

The Garden was today treated to the unusual spectacle of three men in identical parrot-green t-shirts making merry during the exercises. Many called them “teen totey” (three parrots). Some people stopped momentarily in their tracks, only to walk away exclaiming, “Hariyali Hi Haryali!” (It’s greenery all around). A toothless old lady cheerfully gave us the thumbs up, saying, “It’s Green Day today!”
The credit (or blame) for all this has to go to central green figure in the picture alongside, Srichand Arora. He brought the t-shirts from Singapore yesterday (ref post) for his friends, prompting Monthi Serrao to confront him: “What about the rest? You could have at least brought yellow t-shirts for us.”
Arora’s reply was immediate: “I could have. But would you all wear t-shirts? I don’t mind getting t-shirts for everyone provided everyone wears them.”
“I will wear,” affirmed Monthi, an occasional t-shirt wearer.

Hobnobbing over Darjeeling-Gangtok

But other ladies like Nahid Khan, Ruksana Khan and Khatoon Baig promptly developed cold feet. Their uneasiness did not go unnoticed as the men simply smiled imagining how the salwar-kameez clad women would look with the sudden sartorial transformation – thanks to Arora's generosity!
On behalf of the ladies, Nahid finally turned down the t-shirt idea; but that could be because she had weightier issues on her mind. She is just not up to taking a flight for the Club’s Darjeeling-Gangtok excursion (next March-April) and had been looking for company if she were to travel alone by train.

A sorrowful birthday celebration

Today, armed with figures, she was able to convince Shekhawat on savings of up to Rs10,000 per head because of the difference between the air fare and train tickets. “Besides, on a pleasure trip, shouldn’t we be enjoying the scene-scenery and the journey?” she argued. Shekhawat became an instant convert. “I will join you,” he assured Nahid.
Meanwhile, Mallika Kagzi was treat us to nankhatais, nobody was prepared for. But then, who can be prepared for a grieving mother, celebrating the birthday of her child who is no more? As she struggled to hold back her tears, Arora tried to comfort her: “Don’t worry, wherever your daughter is, she is in good hands.” Everybody was silent. Nobody asked anything, but Mallika could read our minds. “Her name was Shaheen,” she whispered before breaking down. It was the most unusual birthday celebration that left us all wet eyed.
Harish Wadhwa:
* 3 Idiots are visible. The fourth one who was also to sport the same totey-wala green T-shirt is missing. Khabar leni padegi uskee. Bahut dino se phunti maar raha hai.
* What a touching moment -- celebrating the birthday of Mallika-ji's daughter, Shaheen. This is a mother's tribute to her daughter by keeping her alive in our hearts. Genuinely touched by her gesture. May God bless her and give her peace of mind and soul.