AGM: 2016-17

Kiran Prakash presents the Secretary's Report at the AGM

Kiran Prakash today took the Club on a trip down memory lane, covering the period April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017. Peppered with wisecracks and witticisms, he recounted the many parties and get-togethers, housie sessions, seminars, calendar events, picnics, the two excursions to Kerala and Rajasthan as well as certain special celebrations like the Annual Day function and Mahamoorkh Sammelan that were held during the last financial year.
“We also lost two of our dearest colleagues, Laxmi Naidu on August 3, 2016 and Teja Singh Bhambra on October 12, 2016,” he added while presenting the Secretary’s Report at the third Annual General Body Meeting (AGM)

Bijoy Gupta in flow

of the Club in the China Hut this morning.
As many as 22 members took part in the meeting with Yusuf Rassiwala in the chair and flanked by Shekhawat (the other Chairman Emeritus), Kajal Babani (Treasurer) and all members of the managing committee, barring Razia Khan. The latter is away at Malegaon to attend the funeral of her mother (ref yesterday’s post).
Bihari Milwani also attended the meeting and presented the all-important Audit Report of the Club (along with the Balance Sheet) for 2016-17. Upon our request, he very kindly agreed to be reappointed as auditor for the current financial year – as always, without expecting a rupee (for his professional

Shekhawat says his good-byes before leaving for Rajasthan

services as CA) in return.
Furthermore, the AGM took stock of the existing membership, reviewing all admissions and resignations during the year and also ratified Yusuf Rassiwala’s official position in holding dual charge as President and Chairman (Emeritus). The general consensus was not to disturb the present arrangement.
A dispute broke out on the question of raising the subscription fees of members and after extensive discussions it was decided to charge a nominal Rs10 extra per month with effect from April 2018. The proposal to make members pay for their birthday calendars was however, struck down. All in all, this was a meeting, as enlightening as it was entertaining, befitting a laughter club.
But then, the best was reserved for the last -- long after the AGM ended and the crowd had dispersed. Bijoy Gupta, who had been tasked with staging a play for the Annual Day function on December 16, read out the first draft of his script to a small, select audience. Details of course, cannot be disclosed. Suffice to say that what has come through is a masterly laugh-a-minute, guaranteed to bring the roof down.

Shaher Banoo Khan (excerpted in translation from WhatsApp):
Dear Kiranji, you gave a very good performance in the morning. But you did not mention about the calendar and Pehchaan Kaun trophies. In my opinion they deserved special mention. These two remarkable awards are unique. I salute Big Laaf for this... You had laboured a lot on your script. If only you could remember these two items also. I hope you do not mind me saying so.

Kajal Babani (on WhatsApp):
This was the first time someone presented the Report so well. I think Kiran-ji did a wonderful job. Due to time constraints, some matters might have slipped his mind.

Bhaswati Bose (on WhatsApp):
Congrats Kiran-ji. Very good presentation.

Kiran Prakash (on WhatsApp):
Banoo Apa, thank you for your appreciation and encouragement. I missed that. Will certainly mention them in future. Thanks, Kajal and Bhaswati also.

Yusuf Rassiwala (on WhatsApp):
Kiran-ji, your presentation was really very good. Many congratulations to you for this. The way you picked every occasion out of your library and presented them certainly deserves credit. Dil khush ho gaya! May Allah bless you and your family.

Kiran Prakash (on WhatsApp):
Thank you very much Yusuf-bhai, for your kind words. I take them as your encouragement and blessings.

Geeta Latte:
Congratulations!

Dilip Babani:
Congratulations, Kiran-ji!