Dussehra 2015

Swati Punjabi plays the gracious hostess for Dussehra party 2015

After all the drama and dispute the day-before (see post), peace prevailed at the Garden today as Swati Punjabi had her way in hosting her Dussehra bash in the China Hut. She invited not only members of the Club, but all others in the Garden as well. What’s more, she got her sparring partners, including Harbans Kaur and Monthi Serrao to help her lay out the dishes and serve the halwa-puri and boiled chana treat – followed by Mallika Kagzi’s famous tea.
However, it was not Swati, but little Akshat Choudhary who stole the show by flagging off the festivity earlier in the morning.

Little Achiever: Akshat

As usual, he came with his parents and grandparents and as soon as the exercises ended, he distributed chocolate bars to announce his having stood second in an English handwriting competition. Sporting a red t-shirt with ATHLETIC TALENT emblazoned across his chest, he posed for

Tea flows from Mallika's kettle

photographs with the ‘certificate of merit’ issued by his alma mater, City International School displayed prominently.
Akshat’s achievement was ably matched by Swati’s triumph in burying all differences and feelings of ill-will within the Club in the true spirit of Dussehra. The festival is ostensibly a celebration of the ‘triumph of good over evil’, the latter represented by Ravana, Mahishasura and some deadly demons. Mercifully, we do not have to deal with these mega forces of evil in the Garden. But still, there are under-currents of petty rivalry and ego clashes that surface at times. Today, Swati could win over these mini 'demons' and vanquish the negativity, if any, simmering among us.
The only ‘evil’ that however, remains invincible and continues to make life miserable in the Garden is the sweltering heat at this time of the year. Ask Arora. The oppressive humidity got so unbearable for him that he had to excuse himself from the exercises and retire under a fan in the China Hut. Only later, when he felt better, did he join us in the celebrations.
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd) from Mohali:
Dussehra is one festival enjoyed by everyone with a lot of gusto. It signifies the victory of goodness over evil. The club is lucky to celebrate the occasion with young ones and the ripe aged people joining in. Keep enjoying and stay healthy.