Pre-Holi Bash

Members take a final call on celebrating Holi tomorrow

Banoo Apa hosted a pre-Holi bash this morning. She had sensed the reluctance of members in organizing any celebration this year (ref yesterday’s post). “Since no one wants to take the initiative, let me treat you to chai-biscuits,” she said. "Let this be our Holi party."
In doing so, Banoo Apa not only kept a long-standing tradition alive, but also reaffirmed the secular ethos of our Club. That it is possible to transcend the barriers of faith

Bijoy Gupta (r) teaches Shekhawat
how to exercise

in celebrating a festival was very admirably driven home by this free-spirited lady.
Earlier in the morning, a collective call was taken to “cancel Holi” this year. Siba Prasad Maitra had just informed that he would not take part in any celebration tomorrow since he had “lost a very near and dear one” recently. He would nevertheless attend the exercises, he said.
Shekhawat had cited the same reason for abstaining from any celebration this year (ref post of March 16). Two other key members, Yusuf Rassiwala and Kiran Prakash are away.

Banoo Apa ushers in Holi with chai-biskits today

And since no one was prepared to assume responsibility for bringing the colors and refreshments, it was decided to give Holi a miss this year.
Bijoy Gupta tried making an issue of this, only to realize that he himself would not be able to celebrate tomorrow. He lost his daughter on March 18 last year but is supposed to be still in mourning. “My daughter left us on March 18, Gudi Padwa day,” he explained. “Going by the date, my mourning period was technically over day-before yesterday. But my wife insists that we ought to wait till the next Gudi Padwa. So I will have to remain in mourning till April 6 this year.”
Be that as it may, what we can expect tomorrow is our hour-long exercise routine, followed by maybe, a customary gulal smear on the forehead to mark the occasion. Nobody looks inclined to have anything beyond that – which is a pity.

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd):
It was nice of Banoo Apa to treat members to tea and snacks in this pre-Holi do. Congrats to her. It is sad that we are missing an occasion to laugh, enjoy and be happy. Holi is not only the festival of colors but also of laughter, happiness and merry making. We are missing a great opportunity. The day one has not laughed is a day not lived.