Reunion Time

The prabhat pheri, as part of Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations

After the mass exodus, it’s time now for happy reunions in the Club. Ruksana Khan has returned from Surat. Yesterday, Shekhawat was back from his bout of illness. And today, it was Srichand Arora’s turn to register his return from Singapore with a load of Golbon chocolate truffles.
That something good was in the offing was indicated by the propitious sight of a prabhat pheri just outside the Garden gate.

Arun welcomes Arora from Singapore 

Taken out on the days preceding Guru Nanak Jayanti (November 6), the early morning procession winds its way through different localities of Lokhandwala, drawing devotees out from their homes along the way.

Chocolate truffles from Singapore

Today, as it stopped near the Garden, we knew our day was made.
Sure enough, Arora turned up and was greeted warmly by Shekhawat, Arun Patil and other early birds. His presence itself is enough to electrify the atmosphere and with his wisecracks and jibes (aimed particularly at an unsuspecting Shekhawat) we were back to the old days when it was laughter-laughter all the way. As we were to realize today, in the absence of Arora and Shekhawat the Club is not the same.

Lt Col (retd) Angad Singh

In tandem, these two make an explosive pair and constitute the very life force of the Club.
Angad Singh, our newest member, was a little curious about how Arora manages to keep himself so vivacious and cheerful at his age. A retired army man, Angad is new to Mumbai and quite misses Mohali where he has his friends, an association of ex-servicemen and activities like taking up the cause of consumer rights. Now suddenly, he finds himself at a loose end. Arora advised him not to worry too much and till such time he finds his mooring in the city, he could possibly keep himself occupied by visiting a certain hospital in Juhu and chat up patients there who crave for company. “You would not only be cheering them up, you would find your time well-spent and fulfilling,” Arora said. “There is so much happiness to be gained from giving happiness to others.”
Angad Singh leaves for Mohali today with this sage advice. He has something to put in his pipe and smoke, till he returns.
Harish Wadhwa:
What lovely language to describe the Reunion. Well, I am going to wish Arora-ji when I get my share of the chocolate truffle (just one!) because with him haq se mang sakte hain! He is one of the most cheerful people among us and radiates that happiness. I banged into him early in the morning at prabhat pheri and got a nice hug. I knew my day was made!
Srichand Arora:
Harish-ji, chocolate kya cheez hai, aap jaan mangiye, par pehle mera Indore ka sev dijiye. 'Dil cheez hai kya aap jaan mangiye, par pahle mera kaha maan lijiye...' shayad aisa hi kuchh gaana hai na?
Harish Wadhwa:
Arora-ji, I got my chocolate from your nice hug that morning. Your coming back with a smile and loads of life, is good enough for me. Sevn toh banti hai aur aapka hissa surakshit hai.