Parting Treat

Jane Rodwell

Srichand Arora

Surprises do not cease in the Garden. Where Shekhawat had failed yesterday, Srichand Arora scored this morning. Instead of whiskey or wine (see yesterday’s post), Arora treated our guest, Jane Rodwell to a traditional winter drink, kanji – a tangy concoction of fermented carrot and beetroot brewed in north-Indian homes.
It was totally unexpected. But Arora knew that this was to be Jane’s last day with us as she has to fly back to England tonight. So to make her remember us by, the fresh kanji was his farewell treat after the exercises. And as a parting gift, he presented her a blue Club cap. “You are our honoured guest,” he said. “Please wear it.”
Jane instantly hugged Arora in acknowledgment. “I will show this off,” she exclaimed cheerfully. And like a child with a new present, she kept the cap on right through the morning – during the exercises and later, while taking photographs on her camera.

Party time in the Garden... with kanji

Out of such little niceties we derive our day-to-day pleasures. We all know in our hearts that it is unlikely we shall ever meet Jane again; but for the time she was with us, we tried to make those moments memorable. Apart from Arora, Monthi Serrao deserves every credit for making this possible. Were it not for her, we would probably not have met Jane. There's something about her livewire persona that struck an instant chord with us, leaving behind a lasting impression.
It must however, be said that Jane was not quite prepared for the sharp, spicy taste of the kanji and more so, because of her delicate kidney condition. When she was assured that it was not an alcoholic drink, she took a few brave sips. But for the rest of us, nothing could have been more welcome on a cool January morning. Everybody shamelessly gulped down the lip-smacking beverage by the glassful, some managing multiple refills and within minutes, it was all over.
Thanks to Jane, WE could get our kanji fix!
Jagmohan Papneja:
Thank you, Ms Jane Rodwell for the wonderful time we could spend with you. We wish you and your family the very best.
Kiran Prakash:
Jane came, conquered and left. We will remember her for a long time to come. God bless her.
Harish Wadhwa:
God bless you, Jane, for being with us and cheering everyone up by your aura. Come more often so that we can have 'Arora-di kanji' as often. Santosh-ji is going to be the next, when I can also make it, because Arora-ji preferred to treat me to tea and not kanji... Aapko yaad rakhoonga(LOL)!
Jane Rodwell:
Many thanks to my new daughter's auntie, Mrs Monthi Serrano (a lovely lady) for introducing me to your wonderful group at Big Laaf, Mumbai. What a fun, fit and friendly family you all are, most gracious and generous. I enjoyed my short time with you all tremendously and have lovely memories and photographs and will follow you all on your blog. Thank you, Mr Srichand Arora for my hat (I will wear it with pride) and for introducing me to kanji, certainly a first for me. Also the kind offer of whiskey and wine from Mr Shekhawat, sadly not a possibility. My very best wishes to you all for a healthy and happy 2015. Thanks to you, I will endeavour to 'laugh out loud' more often at the start of my day but due to our weather will not promise. It will be on my lawn or in the local park at -1° --Your affectionate friend.