New-found Love

After a long, long time, we had a healthy turnout this morning. We were more than 25. And what’s more, we were evenly balanced gender-wise. When Mumtaz Jahan joined the circle as the 26th participant for the exercises, Srichand Arora pretended to be so upset that he instructed everybody not to even look in her direction. Till the time she came in, the men happened to be in a majority!
However, what does not cease to amuse the regulars is the resurfacing of many old-time members, particularly those who were not known to be regular in their attendance. Even more hilarious is the constant buzz about the party this week-end, much as nothing really has been finalized as yet. Somehow, all those with this new-found love for the Club want to make sure his/her name exists in the membership list. One elderly gent who is not on the list and has never been seen by anybody for the exercises, insists on being a founder member of the Club. Today, when Arora confronted him, he argued that he pre-dates all existing members – Arora included.
But all this is fun – more so, when nobody has any clue when and where the party is to take place. Blue Waters is written off. Arora has recommended Panchwati or Sab Kuchh (see last post). Mr G.R.Garg has agreed to enquire with a few restaurateurs and if possible, swing a good deal. Some are suggesting Govinda in ISKCON, but Gopvinita has warned against any Housie or singing there – not even bhajans by Sitaram. And Nafisa Sayed (right) simply cannot figure out why we should be making such a huge song and dance over feeding a few people…
It will be interesting to see how this finally plays out.

Missed the Bus

Looks like we have missed the bus for the party at Blue Waters on June 11. After days of dilly-dallying and needless delays on our part, we have now been summarily told that the discounts negotiated with the restaurant (see post of May 23) last month are no longer valid. Had we confirmed our booking with a token advance even a few days earlier, we could perhaps have saved ourselves from being at a loose end.
Briefing Hari Singh Shekhawat (above), who had returned today from his 20-day vacation at Rajasthan, Kishor Babani said that last Saturday, when he and Srichand Arora went to confirm our booking at the restaurant, they were told that the best rate available would now be Rs409 per head. This is more than 33% higher than what was fixed earlier. In effect, the burden on paying members would increase by over 50%, given that there are barely a dozen of them and around 40 are expected to attend.
One alternative now is to scout for a restaurant that serves lunch (even if it is vegetarian) for under-Rs 266 per head. The other alternative, as suggested by Sitaram Hivarkar, is to scrap the idea entirely, return the money collected and stick to phapda-jalebi dos in the Chinese Hut. In his opinion a restaurant bash is a luxury many cannot afford and this practice is only driving a wedge in the Club by creating ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ among members.
While Shekhawat asked for time to “manage” the situation, we had one good reason to rejoice today. It was Sunita Jajodia’s (left) birthday. Although she could not be present during the exercises this morning, the blog wishes her the very best on the occasion. We pray for her long life, peace and happiness and relief from all health-related issues. Many happy returns of the day, Sunita-ji.
Dilip Babani says:
Happy Birthday, Madam! God bless you!!!
--Dilip
Srichand Arora says:
I would suggest why not try in Sub Kuchh at Oshiwara Link Road or Panchwati in Infinity Mall. What do you all say?
--Arora

PIC OF THE WEEK: 33

Wonder, why they must report her as a 'Missing Person'?
"Is there a REWARD for finding her?"
--Anonymous

A star is born yet again. Whichever way you look, the television proudly presents an actress in the making!
--Renu Babani

Noor Jahan hai Hindustan ki,
Ek anmol nagina hai Hindustan ka...
Aur sherni hai Laughing Club ki!
--Dilip Babani

Aaapan yaala pahilet kaa?
(Trans: Have you seen her anywhere?)
--S.V.Arora

Chandaal Chaukdi 2

Whatever the men do, women can do better – even when it comes to holding a Chandaal Chaukdi in the Garden and pfaffing about till everybody else gathers for the exercises. Ironically, it was Sunita Jajodia who used to curse this odd grouping of gents (see post of December 27, 2010) for delaying the exercises every morning. And now she, along with Santosh Tyagi, have become the fulcrum around whom the ladies gather (above) to form what has become a female version of the infamous Chandaal Chaukdi.
Earlier these ladies had their own corner in the Garden, close to where we exercise. They relocated to their present position, close to the entrance of the Chinese Hut, ostensibly to beat the summer heat under a ceiling fan. But their message was loud and clear: It was no longer the prerogative of the men to delay the exercises while women were kept waiting. With others like Nahid Khan and Bhaswati Bose joining forces, they have succeeded to a major extent. What’s more, they have mercilessly presided over the disintegration of the original Chandaal Chaukdi.
The good news this morning was the little celebration for Khatoon Baig’s birthday. Better known as "Teacher-ji" (because of her academic background), she was taken by surprise when Srichand Arora, towards the end of the exercises, announced that we must raise an extra laugh in her honour. She was so overwhelmed (right) by the sudden attention and with everybody singing for her and individually wishing her turn by turn, that while thanking us she said we had effectively prolonged her life by many years.
But that’s exactly what we want!
Dilip Babani says:
* Teacher-ji, HAPPY BIRTHDAY and GOD BLESS YOU!
* Chandaal Chaukdi Ki Jai Ho!
--Dilip

Aah… What Bliss!

Last night’s unseasonal down-pour had brought down the temperature drastically this morning. Dark clouds hovered in the horizon as a cool breeze blew across the Garden. There was no stickiness, no breath-lessness, no dripping sweat, no hand towels on display, no ants on the ground… After weeks of putting up with intolerable heat and humidity, today was sheer bliss. As Dilip Babani put it, we were experiencing Lonavala in Mumbai.
The mood during the exercises also changed dramatically as everybody was back to their prankish behaviour – what with keeping count of ‘lions’ and ‘lionesses’ among the late arrivals, the witty add-ons to the lyrics of songs playing on the music system, loose comments flying thick and fast, supplemented by sharp repartees – mostly from Srichand Arora and Nahid Khan.
Pratap Bhatt (left) joined in the merriment (so what if the ladies were not exactly keen on calling him a ‘lion’!) with a box of chocolates his daughter had brought from Australia. He has been undergoing treatment over the past eight months for a hole in his lung and is under strict medical advice not to exert himself in any manner. But he assures us that he will make it to THE party on June 11 without fail.
Suddenly Neelam Garg (below) was spotted running full-clip towards us. Arora suspended the exercises to enquire if she was feeling alright. She explained she had just survived an “incident” near Green Acres. On her way to the Garden, she was accosted by two rogues on a motorbike, presumably chain snatchers. They kept accusing her in foul language for staring at them pointedly and braked close to her. When the pillion rider got down and advanced towards her threateningly, Neelam jumped over a hedge and into the Green Acres compound, instantly alerting the watchmen around. Before they could rush in, the goons were gone.
Neelam’s presence of mind, on not getting into a direct confrontation, is indeed praiseworthy. But it was enough to rattle the bravest among us. The only person who looked on amused was Arora’s new ‘friend’, Girdharilal (above). Earlier in the morning, the poor fellow made the mistake of asking Arora the time and in reply was told to throw his watch into the nearby nullah. That’s how they became friends and he got invited to our circle today.