And the Winner is…

Bhaswati Bose flanked by runner-up Mallika Kagzi (l) and
'campaign manager' Gita Latte (r)

Our men can now breathe easy. After ten days of non-stop campaigning by lady members of the Club, the dust has finally settled over electing the Woman of the Year – 2016.
Bhaswati Bose was today declared winner after bagging 10 of the 15 votes polled, while Mallika Kagzi emerged runner-up. The remaining three votes were shared by Razia Khan, Mumtaz Jahan and Nahid Khan.
Today's voting was conducted by secret ballot with Monthi Serrao and Harbans Kaur volunteering their services as ‘polling officers’. In fact, more than the days of campaigning, it was the run-up to the declaration of results that generated maximum excitement – and of course, loads of laughter.
As everybody waited with baited breath for Monthi and Harbans Kaur to complete the vote counting (in apparent secrecy), nosey parkers like Bijoy Gupta had to be shooed away repeatedly for wanting to hang around close to the two ladies. The rest of us kept a respectable distance amid a whirl of speculation as to who would have ingratiated himself to which lady – not to mention the many false promises and assurances from every man on where his vote had gone.

Harbans Kaur and Monthi Serrao count the votes

Polling officers announce the results

But this much became clear: None of the so-called 'husbands' found their wives in the Club deserving of their vote. Meanwhile, Dilip Babani kept everybody abreast with the latest in his own entertaining way. “Swati Punjabi is leading by 5 votes over her nearest rival, whereas Mumtaz Jahan is now behind by 2 votes…” And so his commentary ran on.
It was a joyous, fun-filled morning that made for an appropriate climax to all the shadow boxing and one-upwomanship witnessed over the past few days. However, in their ‘report’, the polling officers submitted that it would be better to do away with all campaigning in future. “Just give one day’s notice and conduct the voting the very next day,” Harbans Kaur suggested. “That way the ladies will have no time to engage in petty rivalry and infighting.”
Today’s winner will be presented with her trophy on March 8, 2016 – International Women’s Day.

Carnival atmosphere prevails as everybody waits patiently for the declaration of results

Kiran Prakash:
Congratulations, Bhaswati-ji. You have won by a two-third majority. Well done.
Siba Prasad Maitra:
Congratulations Bhaswati-ji. You have won by a clear majority. Well done. My good wishes to all other participants too.
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd) from Mohali:
Hurrah! Lot of congrats Bhaswati-ji. You have been campaigning with your Manager for a pretty long time. You have won with a clear majority. From my side all the lady members are winners for the International Women's Day. All of them have been doing well in the club.
Kiran Prakash adds:
My love and good wishes are especially for those ladies who have lost and are now accusing and cursing me. It appears Maitra-ji has left the city and will return only after the fire gets extinguished. Very smart step.