Hurried Picnic

Discussions begin while the exercises were on

Now that the Annual Function is behind us, the Club has found something new to keep everyone occupied. Picnic. The time is right, the inclination is there and the weather, perfect. So why not?
“Let’s go anywhere,” urged Bijoy Gupta, raising the subject in the middle of the exercises. “Decide on the place and set out fast. Don’t plan too much because nothing will come of it then. Those interested will join us automatically.”
The idea found instant endorsement all around. “It does not matter where we go, so long as we go,” declared Zarina Khan. “It’s been ages since we went on a picnic. Let us go this week itself. No point delaying.”
“The more we delay, the greater the chances of cancellation,” opined Naseem Khan. “If we go nearby, we don’t even have to book a bus. Hire a taxi or two and move on. Why wait for a big crowd to gather?

Angad Singh is unwell. He has
cancelled his Dubai trip

Those who want to come will join us anyway.”
All this was music to Shekhawat’s ears. “I am cancelling my trip to Rajasthan,” said the veteran of several picnics in the past. “Just give me the telephone numbers and contact details of a few resorts and I will fix up everything.”
Lonavala, Uran and Igatpuri came up as possible destinations initially. “Those places would entail overnight stay and in effect, holding up our bus unnecessarily.

Deciding on a picnic destination

But Nahid Khan shot down the idea. Our costs would shoot up. We will be paying more for the bus than on ourselves.”
Significantly, these discussions began while the exercises were on, thereby causing a delay in wrapping up today’s session. We had to perforce skip the tai-chi session. But in the end, a decision was taken on having a local picnic with minimum fuss.
After weighing several options, a consensus was reached for Byculla Zoo this weekend, preferably Sunday. Being “exam season in schools”, the place will not be crowded and the logistics, easily manageable. Besides, nobody in the group remembers having ever visited the zoo.
Zarina even offered to celebrate her birthday (on Sunday) there. But then, eatables are strictly prohibited inside the zoo.