Easy Camaraderie

Shekhawat

Bijoy Gupta

Bijoy Gupta today picked up the bizarre Indian tag of a ‘co-brother’. His wife is supposed to be Shekhawat’s saali (wife’s sister). That should appropriately qualify him to be Shekhawat’s brother-in-law – if at all such referencing is necessary.
But no, some lady members were intent upon cementing their relationship this morning and formally addressed Gupta as Shekhawat’s ‘saadu bhai’ for the first time. Neither of the men seemed to mind.
Significantly, both Shekhawat and Gupta share an easy camaraderie that is unique and comical. No matter what Shekhawat does or says on his face, Gupta has always taken on the chin. Likewise Gupta enjoys the privilege to abuse or accuse Shekhawat of anything and everything and no offence is ever taken – except on one aspect.
Gupta cannot lead the ‘train’ that marks the end of our free-hand exercises. That is Shekhawat’s prerogative. Long back, Gupta tried once to appropriate this right and all hell broke loose. Shekhawat went hammer and tongs at him, almost getting into fisticuffs and since then, Gupta has been licking his wounds.
Otherwise, Gupta never misses an opportunity at calling Shekhawat a “rusty old engine driver” leading a “ladies’ train” whose “wheels are punctured” and so on. In turn, Shekhawat has been alluding to Gupta being a devotee of a certain Raadhe Maa, only to be accused of being a master “practitioner of black magic” and getting the lady members in his spell.
Such mindless banter keeps everybody entertained, but is never taken to heart and is forgotten soon after the exercises. This is an unwritten rule that binds the two gentlemen, both in their seventies now. For outside the Garden, they continue to be as thick as thieves – but in a decent way.
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
These funny, little incidents are like pinpricks enjoyed by all the members. Everyone is happy, enjoys and feels the nourishment such incidents provide. This entertainment should remain as such and should not be overdone.