Uncalled For

Shekhawat is badly cornered...

A rather embarrassing and wholly unnecessary discussion on Shekhawat’s birthday celebration tomorrow had to be brought to an abrupt halt this morning.
He will be turning 79 (or so he believes) and in typical naivetté, went on to declare that he would be treating us to biscuits and lassi. “The biscuit packets have already arrived at home,” he announced.
True or false, what was even more artless of him was to reveal the pension amount credited to his bank account today. It did not take long for some of us to relate this figure to the amount he would possibly be spending on his treat tomorrow -- as though Big Laaf had an inherent claim over Shekhawat’s monthly income.
“With that money you ought to be treating the Club to a five star lunch or dinner,” demanded Bijoy Gupta. “There should be drinks included with a movie thrown in… Why, you ought to be sponsoring a picnic as well and here you want to be done with a biscuit packet only?”
Promptly others piled on Shekhawat with their own peculiar demands. With discretion thrown to the winds, the demands assumed bizarre overtones in total disregard to his personal compulsions. What began as a ‘joke’ (as many lamely put it) had snowballed into an obscene display of rank opportunism and extortion – not a civilized way to celebrate any birthday.
Surely nobody would starve in the absence of a birthday treat. Nor would Shekhawat be reduced to penury had he succumbed to the coercion. But what would definitely happen is a competitive raising of the bar on birthday treats – something that would have dangerous long-term consequences. It had to stop. And so also the discussion today.

Bihari Milwani:
I think it will be in the interest of everyone that celebrations -- whether of birthday or anniversary, or of children’s marriage, etc. -- be restricted to chocolates, laddoos or something of the sort but ONE item only. This will keep our members fit and fine.

Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
It is the prerogative of the birthday boy what treat he wants to give. Let him feel happy and whatever he decides should be enjoyed by everyone. This has been our attitude so far. Relax and enjoy the occasion. No prompting please!