Unfinished Business

Shekhawat (l) was given a warm send-off today

The customary collection of cash for annual membership renewals remains half done as Shekhawat today took off on his summer sojourn in Rajasthan. He was given a warm send-off after the exercises -- but not without some serious leg-pulling, particularly from his bete noire, Bijoy Gupta.
The issue at stake was why Shekhawat is choosing to time his visit to his village when the whole of Rajasthan would be reeling under a heat wave. In the absence of any credible explanation,

Dilip Babani:
Recuperating

the only reason Gupta could deduce was that someone extremely close to Shekhawat’s heart must be waiting for him.
“Beware of chudails,” Gupta warned. “I know your village is full of them and they must have cast a spell on you. Otherwise why are you going in peak summer? Obviously you have a soft corner for one of them. I suggest you better show yourself to the witch doctor (ref post of March 28) who treated your wife. Get him to at least blow on your face so that you return safe and sound.”
Quite missing the point, Shekhawat promised to be back in the Garden, hale and hearty, on April 29 (Monday). He also appealed to everyone to pay their subscription dues at the earliest. Last year, he did not have to make any such request as he miraculously completed the collection exercise within two days.
Meanwhile, news comes in of Dilip Babani’s surgery for varicose veins (ref post of March 29) proving a success. He was admitted to CritiCare Hospital yesterday and today he is being discharged. He will however, have to rest his legs for some time before being able to venture out and walk normally.