March Ending

Khatoon Baig (l) pays her annual subscription

As March draws to an end, the annual ritual of renewing Club membership gets on an overdrive. Unpleasant as it is, the task of collecting cash is necessary before the new financial year, 2018-19 kicks in on April 1. And nobody can do this any better than Shekhawat.
It is barely a week since he has returned from his village in Rajasthan – mercifully without a mishap. But the tragedy that overtook Bijoy Gupta’s family (ref post of March 19) had since put all important Club activities on hold. Now, with barely five days to go, Shekhawat has redoubled his efforts at reminding members to pay their annual subscription in time.
Sure enough, he has been feverishly making phone calls to all those who are not so regular in the Garden. To some who are forgetful by nature, he is making veiled threats of visiting their homes like some recovery agent. And to those for whom he has a soft corner, he is offering to pay the subscription amount on their behalf, if only to embarrass them.
Put this to his persuasive skills, pressure tactics or penchant for fun, the efforts are beginning to bear fruit. Already Shekhawat has got about a dozen people to pay up. There’s another two dozen to go. Given his track record and the time on hand, this should be a cake walk.

Bihari Milwani:
Even though the 'don' of our Club is injured, everyone is very scared of her and will pay the subscription in time.