Key Takeaways

Naveen-bhai (ext left) drops in to thank us for yesterday's programme

Now that the dust has settled over the awards function (ref yesterday’s post), there were some key takeaways for us. For starters, Johnny Lever has raised our stock in public perception, such that there has been a sudden surge in inquiries for joining the Club.
Bijoy Gupta and Shekhawat narrated how they were besieged in the Garden last evening with people congratulating them for staging such a “well-organised programme” and asking what it would take to be a member of Big Laaf.
Even today, there were

Fahmida Khan with her "Johnny
Bhai" posing with a Cup

a host of morning walkers – some known, many unknown – dropping by to say how much they enjoyed the programme. Razia Khan was also there with Tahira to inform that Johnny Lever was equally pleased by whatever we could do for him.
The presence of a celebrity chief guest in our midst also rubbed off on members as they changed the DP of their WhatsApp (framed with Johnny Lever) accounts overnight. His ever obliging and down-to-earth nature was

The smiles were still there on everybody's lips

an important lesson in humility for all of us.
Another major takeaway was the sense of pride and confidence that winning a prize had instilled in many. Qadeer Bano, Nand Ram, Naseem Khan, Geeta Latte, etc. were frank enough to confess that they had never received a trophy or medal in life– that too from a VIP. Yesterday was their first.
On a lighter note, Fahmida Khan managed to get hold of somebody’s trophy, just so she could pose as a winner with Johhny Lever for a photo. When asked why she had to do so, pat came the answer: “It was only a small cup. What was Yusuf-bhai doing with such a big trophy? He could have at least shared a part of it with me!”
Yusuf Rassiwala, recipient of the Outstanding Sporting Spirit award, had an announcement to make: that we have received a handsome donation from Celebration Club. He has collected the cheque. This was yet another important takeaway.
But to us, what mattered most were the moments: The first time in years we saw Qadeer Bano smiling. The way Banoo Apa tripped over herself on a joke, laughing and crying at the same time. Or Bhaswati Bose, unable to keep a straight face on stage while announcing the prize winners...
Indeed, with the Comedy King around, it was well-nigh impossible to keep a straight face.