Between Two Stools

Jagmohan Papneja

Like most clubs, we have four types of members: one, those who are regular and punctual; two, those who are regular, but not on time; three, those who abscond for days but when they do show up, they are punctual; and four, those who cannot be trusted with either regularity or punctuality.
Now we are adding a fifth category, and this amusing precedent is being set by Jagmohan Papneja. Over the past few weeks, he has turned unusually irregular and late for the exercises. Not that this matters to anybody. But what has been raising eyebrows, is his peculiar tendency to slink away before the exercises are over.
Quite clearly, he has pressing commitments every day with a senior citizens’ group in the ‘other garden’ and must necessarily divide time between two locations. Significantly, he is secretary there also.

Exercises in progress

In effect, he is adjusting between two stools – or as some members have been commenting, his feet are on two kashtis (boats) these days.
A few ladies today decided to confront him head on as he was making his way out while the exercises were in progress. He managed to dodge them and scrammed.

Kiran Arora

“There is a time for coming in, but there is no time for going out” was the instant refrain, obviously with reference to Srichand Arora’s appeal for punctuality and discipline (ref post of July 24). And here the Club secretary was out to defy him!
Even this would have been overlooked were it not for Papneja’s latest efforts to curtail the exercising time on the specious reasoning that in the other Garden, exercises are over by 7:30 a.m. By and large, everybody ignores him, knowing well that he is the only one to be in a tearing hurry to escape. But today when he tried to rush Razia Khan through the exercises, she snapped back, irritated: “Why the hurry!”
Things would not have reached snapping point were Arora around. He is preoccupied with his wife, Kiran who is due for a knee surgery at Hinduja Hospital on August 3. A stickler for discipline, he has always attended the exercises till the end, even as he is also an office bearer of the senior citizen’s group, like Papneja. He knows that it would be a sad day for our Club if others were to follow suit and abandon the exercises mid-way.
Meanwhile, here’s wishing Kiran Arora the very best on her surgery.
Srichand Arora:
Due to tension over her operation, Kiran's blood sugar shot up suddenly and the doctor has postponed the operation by a week. The sugar level should return to normal by then, hopefully. Now she will be admitted on August 9 morning and operated upon on the 11th. So I am free for the next week. I hope to see all the members tomorrow morning IN TIME. Sorry for being absent for the last four days.
Kiran Prakash:
I wish Kiran-ji the very best on her knee surgery. It was good to know that her blood pressure and sugar has now come to normal. We all pray for her. Take care.
Bihari Milwani:
I suggest Mrs Arora comes to the Garden and sits on a chair and laughs with us. Laughter is the best medicine to remove tension and bring blood pressure to normal level.
Harish Wadhwa:
Wishing all the good health and quick recovery as Kiran Bhabhi-ji plans to go under the knife. Don't worry everything will be fine.