Last Day

Geeta Latte felicitates Suresh Samel (striped T-shirt) with roses 

Today was our good old friend, Suresh Samel’s last day at the Garden. Had not Geeta Latte mentioned it, we would not have known that this sprightly 84-year-old gent would be relocating to another end of town, Girgaum tomorrow. That would have been a crying shame.
We instantly decided that the least we could do was to give him a send-off – at least to remember us by. After all, Samel has been a constant comrade and well-wisher of the Club for the past 10 years, never missing an occasion to participate and give us his blessings.
If only we had known earlier that he would be leaving the Garden for good, some arrangements would have been made for a proper farewell in his honour.

Shanti Singh (file pic)

Still, Geeta managed to salvage the situation by rushing out and picking up a few roses from a flower stall nearby and we got to somehow felicitate Samel. Siba Prasad Maitra pitched in by singing the evergreen Kishore Kumar number, ‘Kabhi alvida na kehna…’ for him.
We do not know if we will be seeing Samel again. He too made no promise about visiting us (“I shall try,” was all he said) and that is understandable. At his age and given the number of surgical implants, it would be too much to expect him to travel to Lokhandwala all the way from Girgaum at 7:00 in the morning to meet us. But go he must, as that is his natal home. It was under ‘redevelopment’ all these years.
Meanwhile, we are told that Shanti Singh is not keeping well. She was admitted to Kokilaben Hospital earlier this week with urinary infection and according to latest reports, her condition has turned from bad to worse. Her neighbor and close confidante, Kajal Babani informed that sores have erupted all over her body, the reasons for which remain a mystery.
This has become a major cause of concern for everyone in the Club.

Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
It was nice that an impromptu farewell had been arranged for old colleague, Samel. Sure he'll enjoy life at his new location. Wishing Shanti Singh a speedy recovery and good health.

Geeta Latte:
Everything happens for a reason. Just believe👍

Karun Sharma:
* Our Club has become well-rooted in the Garden. This is wonderful as we take responsibility for the things happening around and people who matter. Mr Samel had been an active and energetic man. I am going to miss him. I used to see him regularly.
* Geeta has correctly said that everything happens for a reason. I pray that Shanti Singh recovers early and joins us back.