Go We Must!

Tallying cash collections for the picnic

After two days of respite, Shekhawat today revived his ‘picnic drive’ with renewed vigor. He went about once again collecting money even as the destination remains shrouded in mystery (see post of August 1). The date too is uncertain. For the moment, it is fixed between Monday, August 7 and Wednesday, August 9, i.e. next week.
But go Shekhawat must!
He has however, conceded that Khopoli could be inconvenient to many. Geeta Latte, for one, had been to the area last weekend and informed that the roads there are riddled with potholes and it would take us no less than five hours

Tickle-tickle, laafter-laafter...

to cover the distance one way.
Others familiar with the route warned against treacherous traffic snarls that would only get worse if it rains. Only Arun Patil stuck his neck out, “assuming” that the resort would be off the highway (Shekhawat agreed it is “inside”) and that all resorts of Khopoli were fantastic and worth the rigors of travel. He could not however, prevail over majority opinion.
The general consensus now is that we restrict ourselves to an hour’s travel time for the picnic, regardless of the name and location of the resort.

A new master conducts the laughter exercises today

By this yardstick, Saina Resort -- where we had gone last year in November -- at Madh Island has come up as a hot favorite. As a second option, we are keeping Royal Hills Resort -- where we have been to twice in the last two years – should we fail to get a booking at Saina. Dilip Babani will help Shekhawat explore both options and firm up on a destination by tomorrow. But go we must!
By the way, anybody wondering what the picture above is about, here’s the answer. The four individuals you see (with their backs to camera) are supposed to be in the post-exercise prayer with their hands folded. The man in yellow is Kiran Prakash – today’s dupe for Shekhawat, Siba Prasad Maitra and Dilip Babani. The latter three standing behind have dug their fingers into Kiran Prakash’s back, tickling him mercilessly on the sides, over his spine, under his shoulder all through the prayers, sending him into paroxysms of suppressed laughter. After all, they must not disturb the others during the prayer session!
When will these people grow up?!?

Kiran Prakash responds:
They are grown up enough. Now they are craving to get back to the childhood mode. This a healthy tendency in senior citizens. And where else can they publicly demonstrate their newfound childhood, but in the Garden? I too enjoy this. So you are most welcome, my friends, to tickle me. But I would enjoy more if it is done not during prayer time.

Dilip Babani:
Okay, we will not do during prayer time. But we will not leave you. We will find some other time.

Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
Tickling our dear Kiran-ji? Proves the old adage that there is no difference between children and senior citizens. This is one reason we are a happy lot in Big Laaf and keep on smiling!