Normalcy Returns

Arun Patil (l) shares a light moment with friends

After yesterday’s showdown, normalcy returned to the Garden this morning. Everything was forgotten. Or so it seemed. All were back to their cheerful selves. Those who had to come late, did so, with impunity. Those who had to come early, also did so with impunity. No questions were asked. And surely, no answers were necessary.
The one to appear happiest was Arun Patil – the man who triggered the ruckus yesterday. “These are all my brothers and sisters,” he beamed indulgently after the exercises. “I do not mind what they say about me. Fights are inevitable in a large family. But does one have to take offence every time there is a showdown?”
That’s the spirit – a common sentiment, mostly unspoken – that has bound us together and kept the Club going for over 15 years. The best part is that there can be no place for anybody holding a grouse. There is a good reason for this. We have all reached that blissful stage in life when it is futile to stand on false pride and ego. We all know age is no longer on our side. And yet, should anyone make a prestige issue out of something, it would be betraying utter stupidity -- nothing else.
This realization, for many, is the biggest takeaway from Big Laaf.

Bihari Milwani:
Who says we are old? We fight in the morning and play gulli danda in the evening.

Anonymous:
Be a proud idiot of 3 IDIOTS and say, "Aal izz well"!!!

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd):
We come to enjoy and get refreshed by the exercises. This basic aim should always be kept in mind -- even while passing remarks or cracking jokes. Let us forgive and forget all grouses. It will help us all.