Santa is Coming!

Animated discussions after the exercises

For the first time, Santa Claus would be dropping by at the Garden on December 25 and usher in Christmas for us this year. He will come dressed in full red-‘n’-white festive gear, his face covered in flowing white beard and mustache and as always, be carrying a sackful of goodies for children.
A decision to this effect was taken today morning and the person best fitting the role has also been identified. (However, for obvious reasons, the name cannot be divulged at present.) (Let us keep this a surprise!) Suffice to say that he has given his consent and preparations

Urmila Sinha treats us to cut fruits

have already begun in right earnest. A singular highpoint of the celebration is that the grandchildren of members are being invited on the occasion. This is another first for the Club – the idea being that we could draw inspiration by watching the kids and learn from them.

Saturday luncheon hosted by Razia in her home

That apart, this would be an opportunity for the kids to know one another and bond better as extended members of the Big Laaf family.
Meanwhile, Bijoy Gupta suffered a setback as his efforts to revive the play he had written for the Club (ref post of December 12) came to a naught this morning. He was banking heavily on the return of Kiran Prakash to fix a date for staging the play. Today, he was told that the latter will not be able to devote time as he shall be away in the U.S. from January for over a month.
In effect, Gupta not only loses a key artiste but also the support he requires for the rehearsals to be conducted smoothly on schedule. After the wasted efforts of his cast for nearly four months the last time around, he cannot afford to stick his neck out again. Moreover, other members appeared equally reluctant to take any further chances.
Thus, the play has gone into cold storage, yet again.