Happiness Abounds

Shekhawat holds forth on picnic plans

Yusuf Rassiwala today made a perceptive comment while exercising. “Not only has attendance gone up during the past few days, everyone looks so much more relaxed and happy than earlier,” he said.
“This is peculiar,” agreed Tara Chand Seth, dressed in an unusual kurta-pajama-sneakers combo. “It is so hot and humid and yet we have so many people coming every morning for the exercises.”
On a rough count, there were 34 members sweating it out at that point – something that is unusual when the weather turns muggy. At times like this, people tend to oversleep and refuse to stir out of the cool comfort of their bedrooms.
But more than the numbers, what has become increasingly evident is the level of enjoyment and participative spirit among the members, not seen earlier. As Dilip Babani put it, “There is an obvious light-heartedness, a certain glow in everyone’s face when they leave the Garden.”
Many may like to put this to the shared optimism over the all-women’s group assuming charge soon.

Kajal Babani displays yesterday's slide-show on her phone

Although some like the president-elect Mallika Kagzi have already become over-assertive, none of their blandishments or reprimand is ever taken to heart. At the same time, everyone is bound by a sense of mutual respect and responsible behavior.
Tara Chand spoke of a friend he had invited to the Holi celebrations yesterday: “He was amazed at how close and informal we were towards one another. He had never seen such lutf (happiness) among members in any other Club. I told him we were one happy family.”
Meanwhile, Kajal Babani showed Shekhawat the slide-show of Holi celebrations (ref yesterday’s blog) on her smart phone. While Kiran Prakash wanted to gift him an unusual photo of his face smeared in vibrant hues, he remained hung up on one pic: he holding two ta’i chi girls on either side with his arms. He wants that picture also to be in the desk calendar due to him on his birthday. Indeed, from such small pleasures do we derive our daily dose of happiness.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
The Big Laaf early morning session brings a big dose of positive energy which keeps everyone positive through the day. It is a healthy tonic which has to be relished by all.
Kiran Prakash:
Today's attendance made me think. In Big Laaf nobody is indispensable. We welcome people who are cordial and humble. And we have no appetite for those who are disrespectful.