Rescheduled

Bhaswati Bose

Our trip to Gir Forest is NOT cancelled (ref post of March 14). The resort has, as a special case, agreed to accommodate us in the latter half of October and adjust all advances paid by us without levying penalty or other charges. In effect, the trip stands POSTPONED.
Announcing this, Bhaswati Bose informed that we have managed to ensure that the booking amount will not be forfeited. “However, we will not get the benefit of off-season rates in October,” she clarified.

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd) presents Kiran Prakash the birthday calendar

“There will be a marginal hike, but that is yet to be conveyed to us. The important thing is that our bookings are secure.”
There is also the question of a permit fee paid on jungle safari, which goes to the government. On Saturday when the resort was contacted, Sec 144 of CrPC (banning group tours) had not been invoked and it was presumed that the state government would not refund us the amount paid in advance. Now we stand a good chance of recovering

Peering into the birthday calendar

or readjusting that amount also.
The imposition of Sec 144 CrPC in the city yesterday cast a shadow on our gathering for the exercises this morning. Whether this could be interpreted as ‘unlawful assembly’ was open to question. Or must we stick to the letter of the order, which specifically bans group tours till March 31?
Either way, Bijoy Gupta had decided to hide behind Shekhawat should the police come to arrest us. “You are the chairman and you should take the blame,” he told his friend. “I will simply say that you had forced us against our wishes to come to the Garden. So you should be the one to be arrested!”
Be that as it may, the corona virus and the casualties being reported have made us extra cautious from today. We are keeping a distance of at least two metres between us during the exercises and at Angad Singh’s instance, have disallowed cold, exposed food such as idli-vada, etc.
For once, Kiran Prakash took the unpopular but responsible decision not to treat us to any foodstuff on his birthday today. All other rituals like raising the fourth laugh, singing the birthday song and presenting him with his birthday calendar were followed. We wish him again many happy returns of the day as also good health and contentment in life.

Exercise on 'social distancing' in the Garden

Post Script: The police have since issued a clarification on Twitter w.r.t. yesterday’s order: “It is a very specific order for tour operators to prevent danger to human life, health or safety. It should not be confused with the regular order issued u/s 144 CrPC.”

Karun Sharma:
Oh, I missed Kiran-ji's birthday celebration, but I convey my heartfelt wishes to him. I was ready to leave for the Garden but was stuck with some work. I had to also complete my exercise and walk nearby alone u/s 144 CrPC. The decision not to get outside food is very apt and we must do our best insofar as personal and social hygiene is concerned.

Bihari Milwani:
What a coincidence! Section 144 is imposed on the commencement of Mr Kiran Prakash's 72nd year i.e. half of 144. Many happy returns of the day to him.