Back in Middle

Sitaram Hivarkar was back in the middle today. In typical military fashion, he conducted the free-hand exercises, replete with his famous catch phrases, “Take Attention Please”, “Now for the Up” "Aai Shabash!" and so on, but with ample doses of Hindi and Marathi slipped in on popular demand. Not for once did he miss a step, fumble or go wrong, but he feigned forgetfulness a couple of times, just to keep everybody in good humour. And what an entertaining session it was!
Sitaram is 75-plus now. Time was when there was rarely a day when Sitaram did not conduct the exercises as he was counted among the stalwarts, instrumental in setting up the Club. His stentorian voice, uncompromising attitude, sense of perfection and being a stickler for discipline are part of Big Laaf legend. However, with advancing age and some domestic issues overtaking him, his visits to the Garden have become irregular over the past five years. He needs a chair now to rest his arthritic knees and more often than not, does the exercises seated. That is why his initiative today was nothing short of an event.
We can only hope and wish that he continues to inspire and guide us from the middle in times to come.
Siba Prasad Maitra:
Well done, Sitaram-ji. You are an inspiration to us and I salute you for your excellent demonstrations. In fact, I saw you today for the first time in this role. Keep it up.
Bihari Milwani:
Sitaram proved beyond doubt that old age is only in the mind, not in the body.