Overwhelming Response

It is raining currency notes with Shekhawat for the south-India tour 

Preparations for the south-India tour announced yesterday (ref post) gathered momentum today. As many as 23 members came forward this morning, advancing money to book their seats for the ten-day excursion of Bangalore, Mysore, Ooty and Hyderabad beginning November 24, 2015. Shekhawat had reckoned a 25-member troupe – stretchable to a maximum of 30.
Such an overwhelming response is unprecedented – even beyond Shekhawat’s wildest imagination. He is leaving today for his village in Rajasthan and would be back only at the end of this month (after an extensive pilgrimage to Haridwar, Rishikesh, etc). His plans were to sow the idea of the southern tour among members before leaving and then take it forward after returning. Little did he expect everybody to be so enthused as to advance money within 24 hours of his announcement.
“There are still about three months to go, but I have already made arrangements with the travel agent,” he informed. “Monthi (Serrao) and Bhaswati (Bose) were introduced to him yesterday.

Arun Patil fixes Banoo Apa's music system

Holy offerings from Monthi Serrao's novena

In my absence, these two ladies will coordinate between you and the agent for finalizing the flight bookings… I shall take over upon returning to Mumbai on September 25.”
Clearly, the reason for such widespread enthusiasm is the unbelievably cheap airfares on the Mumbai-Bangalore and Hyderabad-Mumbai sectors. Several members who have never been on any excursion in the past have confirmed their bookings. Some like Yusuf Rassiwala, Mumtaz Jahan and Santosh Tyagi, known to delay their confirmation till the eleventh hour, have also put in their money. Even Nahid Khan, who was planning to go by train as usual, has changed her mind. Such is the mad scramble for air tickets that the question of involving ‘outsiders’ (read non-members) this time around appears remote.
The upshot of all this is that many are bound to end up disappointed, especially after the cut-off figure of 30 is reached. Those taking time to decide may even have to contend with higher airfare – something that is beyond anybody’s control. And that could be a perfect recipe for bad blood within the Club.