Stolen Sleep

The funny thing about sleep, as most members must have realised, is that you enjoy it most when you are supposed to wake up. On a Sunday morning when you are in no hurry to leave the bed, sleep abandons you before time. It’s no fun sleeping after that. But on Mondays when you are supposed to be up before sunrise, sleep grips you so badly that you are left wanting to steal a few extra moments in that state of ‘divine bliss’ – only to drift deeper into slumber.
Small wonder, we were barely five at the Garden this morning to start the exercises. The rest were all lost in the arms of Morpheus. Some like Srichand Arora, Dilip Babani and Hari Singh Shekhawat rushed in later, but a majority of the regulars could not make it. Purushottam Sharma made a surprise appearance, much to everybody’s delight. Like old times, he joined us for the exercises after his round-the-Garden walk and also read out Geeta Sardhana’s invite (above) to her daughter’s wedding (see post of December 3). This was for the benefit of those who claimed they had missed the earlier announcement.
By and large, it was a normal, fun-filled morning – but for a spot of sad news brought in by Monthi Serrao. Harbans Singh (right) has lost her brother-in-law. We were aware that he was critically ill in Pune, owing to which Mrs Singh had to cut short her Ludhiana trip last week. The end came on Saturday.
Our deepest condolences are with the bereaved family.
Harish Wadhwa:
* After watching Vidya Balan in The Dirty Picture, Arora-ji groomed himself a little 'extra young' today -- as Men in Black. He looked great.
* I heard Grover-sa'ab, one of the most punctual members singing "Bhool ke kabhi sadi galli aaya karo..." We need to pile on one evening at his residence to poori karo unke dil ki tamanna!
* Deepest condolences to Mrs Harbans Singh and her family for the loss of her brother-in-law. May God bless them and give them the courage to bear this loss.

Day 490

Pic of the Week

Do you recognise her?

This studio photograph was taken when she was 19 years.

You have ten days and one chance to identify this popular member of the Club. Study the face carefully. She is not the person you think.

The winning entry will be decided by a draw of lots at the Garden, so that everybody gets a fair chance to win.

As usual, a token prize will be presented to the winner on December 15, 2011 – the day this blog crosses the 500-day mark.

* Dilip Babani:100 per cent SANTOSH TYAGI, Punjabi kudi -- Santosh-ji you are wonderful!!!
* Renu Babani: Our heroine of yesteryears, of course. Today we address her fondly as "Bhai": NAHID KHAN!
* Harish Wadhwa:Meri nashili aankhein / Mera nirala andaaz, / Kar doon sabko khamosh / Mera naam hai Santosh!!!
It is of course, SANTOSH TYAGI. Looks no less than Sharmila Tagore... What a lovely pic!
* Kishor Babani: I think she is FEHMIDA KHAN or... (sorry, blog recognises only the first name!) Ha-Ha-Ha!
Following were the oral responses received at the Garden on December 6:
* Ved Prakash Grover: SANTOSH TYAGI
* Santosh Tyagi: NAHID KHAN
* Hari Singh Shekhawat: NAHID KHAN
* Sitaram Hivarkar: NAHID KHAN
* Bapu Rane: NAHID KHAN
* Srichand Arora:Jai Sri Krishna, SANTOSH-JI! I guarantee Santosh-ji, this photograph of yours (above) has been taken within three months of your marriage. Tell me if I AM WRONG!
* Geeta Sardhana says she thinks the lady is SANTOSH TYAGI (December 7).
* Neelam Garg: Hare Krishna! She is SANTOSH TYAGI.

*Monthi Serrao: She is our Jai Santoshi Mata -- SANTOSH TYAGI!
* Razia Khan: Of course she is Santosh Tyagi!
Following were the oral responses received at the Garden on December 13:
* Nafisa Sayed: SANTOSH TYAGI
* Vandana: NEELAM GARG
* Khatoon Baig: SANTOSH TYAGI
* Sandhya Narang: SANTOSH TYAGI

Following were the oral responses received at the Garden on December 14:

* Yusuf Rassiwala: SANTOSH TYAGI
* Hari Naraiyani: NAHID KHAN
* Sunita Jajodia: SANTOSH TYAGI
* Sushma Gupta: RAZIA KHAN
* Nahid Khan: NAFISA SAYED

Yesss... She is indeed SANTOSH TYAGI!

Here she is-- as on today. For further details please check post of December 15, 2011.

Comedy of Cards

Sunita Jajodia’s (left) son gets married tomorrow. She has given cards to her friends in the Club, inviting them for the function. Two Sundays later, on December 18, Geeta Sardhana’s (right) daughter gets married. She too has distributed cards, inviting her friends to the function.
Funnily, most of those who received cards from Sunita, have not been invited to Geeta’s function – and vice-versa. Of course, there exists a general invite from Geeta, which was read out in the Garden two weeks back. But that had lost its significance the moment some members divulged that they had got separate invites individually from her.
In effect, two groups of ‘card holders’ have emerged in the Club, both fiercely assertive in the equation they share with their respective hostess. This has been the persistent buzz for over a fortnight, day-in and day-out, with every conversation, invariably beginning with “Card milaa, kya?” And then there are the under-privileged ‘cardless class’, anxious to upgrade their status – only that neither Sunita nor Geeta is obliging.
Enter Hari Singh Shekhawat: He announced that we contribute Rs500 per head for a gift from the Club for Geeta’s daughter. It was instantly shot down to Rs200. Within a couple of days, it was brought down further to Rs zero with everybody saying they would individually pay for their gifts. Then word came in that Geeta does not want gifts. So those attending the wedding would now be carrying cash in sealed envelopes. Also, plans are afoot to book a Tour India bus on the 18th for a full contingent from the Garden to the wedding.
In all this rigmarole and self-inflicted heartburn, we are missing one basic point: To be invited to anybody’s wedding is nobody’s birthright. Expecting this to be so is not only unfair, but impractical. Let us be happy that the children of two of our dearest members have found their life partners and are settling down. We should be rejoicing in their moment of celebration and blessing them with all sincerity and joy – even if it has to be from a distance.
Meanwhile, here's a snapshot (above, right) of the 'Saturday chai session' with the ladies.
Harish Wadhwa:
Missed Kishor-da and Renu-ji today at the chai session as they were too excited to watch The Dirty Picture in the morning show. Surely enough, the members who enjoyed the movie will have grins and smiles to share on Monday. It is different that some might be speechless, not knowing how to describe Vidya Balan to others. Coming Monday is surely going to be 'gossip day'. Thanks Santosh-ji, Ramila-ji and Bhaswati-ji for joining the Badmaash Company. I am sure you have realised that hum yoon hi badnaam hai. We are actually a profoundly decent lot!
Renu Babani:
Just to set the record straight, Kishor Babani had the company of Mr Arora for the movie and he felt that it was a good movie. Let us wait for more reviews as and when others watch it. Regarding the two weddings, let us leave all the uncalled-for criticism and gossip. Our best wishes shall always be with the newly weds as they start a new life together.

Celebrations!

As we near the end of the year, it’s celebration time once again at the Garden. The weather is wonderful – neither warm, nor chilly. The general mood is upbeat. And what’s more, people like Razia Khan, Harbans Singh and Kiran Arora are back.
Bapu Rane, who shares his birthday with his more famous lookalike (just that they are separated by exactly two months) celebrated with huge belly-filling besan-ka-luddoos. He completes 70 years today and to mark the occasion, his friend (not a member) Suresh Samel delivered an inconclusive laudatory speech in Marathi. By then Srichand Arora had stuffed Rane’s mouth with a luddoo (above) and we all applauded and rejoiced for the birthday boy.
Following this ceremony, Pratap Bhatt (below, left) stepped in to distribute chocolates to celebrate the success of his wife’s surgery (of the spinal column) recently. It was a tricky procedure, he was to narrate later. The doctors did not give her much of a chance and she had to be on life-support for three days. The way she has come out of it, Bhatt attributes entirely to divine intervention.
In between, a matronly lady (right) sauntered in, trying to regale us with some Haryanvi jokes. (She was to introduce herself as Maheshwari Sharma, a retired headmistress from Jaipur.) Hari Naraiyani intervened to assure her that we already have our “own Birbal” and when Kishor Babani started narrating his quota of jokes for the day, she realised it was no joke to outshine him. She backed out gracefully.
Meanwhile, all plans for a movie outing from the Club seems to have come unstuck. Everybody wants to watch The Dirty Picture (releasing today) but nobody can coordinate their timings. Muharram is next Tuesday, which automatically excludes a large chunk of members before December 6. Kishor and Arora cannot wait till then and have booked their tickets for tomorrow’s show. Renu Babani, Monthi Serrao, Bhaswati Bose, Santosh Tyagi and Kajal Babani have ganged up for another day’s show. That leaves the likes of Shekhawat, Bhatt and all others on a loose end. But determined as they are to watch the “gandi pikchar”, they will surely find a way out – even if it means doing it solo.
Harish Wadhwa:
* Many happy returns of the day to our dear Rane-ji. He should have given the first mouthful-shut luddoo to the Marathi manoos, who cannot say 'Happy Birthday' or give good wishes in Hindi, English or any other language.
* Nice homemade yummy luddoos can do so much wonders to bond a lovely family. Kudos and thanks to Rane-ji and the chef at home who made them. One for sure does not need five-star sweets to make an event memorable.
* Special greetings to Bhatt-saheb's wife for a happy and quick recovery from a citical surgery. Sweets were as yummy as the lovely intention of distributing them.
May you all have a long, great and a happy life ahead.
* Kishor-da, the Baadmash Company joke on mobile charging was just too much. Could'nt control my laughter for a while, even as we parted ways after the chai session. Tussi great ho!
Renu Babani:
What is it with our group that attracts strangers like a magnet? This has happened more than once. We are admired for our spirit and joyful mood and then they decide to intervene and share a joke or two. We are the polite group and quietly listen to their jokes without a fuss. Yes, it feels nice to be admired and makes all of us realise that we realy are unique.
The movie, The Dirty Picture seems to have attracted more of an audience than one could imagine. Let's see what is each one's review on the movie. Here's an idea: For all those who watch the movie, apart from a personal review, each one has to rate it, giving it the required number of stars.
Dilip Babani:
* Vidya Balan is bombart in The Dirty Picture. She is called "poison to men". She danced like Silk Smitha. She is tooooo hot -- so hot that egg become half-fried omlette on her stomach! Be careful, aag lag jayegi dil mein. Some emotional people could get a heart attack.
* Happy birthday, Bapu Rane!
Harish Wadhwa:
Dilip-bhai seems to have caught the 104 bukhaar after watching Vidya Balan and is therefore abstaining from the morning exercises. Ek toh soch soch kar raat bhar neend nahin aati, aur subah exercises bhi karo! Forget it yaar.
* Srichand Arora:
Renu-ji, if I am asked to rate this movie, I would give it one star only. Nothing great about it!

Timing Change?

Yesterday’s reassurances seem to have worked. Known late-comers ambled in at their own sweet pace while the exercises were on, least afraid of inviting any punishment. Many like Pratap Bhatt, Sushma Gupta, Ramila Mistry and Khatoon Baig, who had absented themselves yesterday, showed up all-smiles. Only Dilip Babani stayed away, as he appears to be still traumatized by the prospect of being made a murga. Responding to his anxious SOS (see comments of November 29) Srichand Arora rushed in this morning to bail him out – should he be made to do the sit-ups. Obviously Dilip had no faith in his saviour and chose to remain scarce even today, rather than take chances!
Hari Naraiyani however found a novel way out to resolve the late-comers’ issue. He proposed a change in the timing of commencement of exercises, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. during these winter months. A half-hour delay will not only ensure punctuality but also help those who come from a distance. The proposal finds resonance with requests, particularly from the ladies who have to walk down from the far reaches of Millat Nagar, SVP Nagar and Jogeshwari, negotiating deserted streets and by-lanes in the early morning darkness.
Significantly, Hari-bhai was in exceptionally high spirits this morning as he kept passing reckless comments and once interrupted the exercises to narrate a joke. Later, the cause for his garrulousness became clear: Today was an important day in his life. He was married on this day 48 years ago – when he was 32. In the pic above, an over-joyous Arora is seen congratulating him on the occasion. We too wish him and Mrs Naraiyani the very best and many more years of togetherness.
The long-awaited announcement on the wedding of Geeta Sardhana’s daughter came this morning. Since all members of the Club have been invited to the ceremony on December 18, Hari Singh Shekhawat (left) requested everybody to confirm in the next three or four days as to who would be attending. This would only facilitate the hosts in organising for the hospitality.
Renu Babani:
I don't think changing the time will be welcomed, especially by the ladies. The timing at present is convenient for all. So, for now, let's leave it at that. If one is determined to attend the morning exercises, then timing shouldn't be a problem. Yes, Hari-bhai was in good spirits, singing merrily on his own, oblivious to everyone else laughing at him. That gentleman does whatever suits him and doesn't care for what others think. Congrats to him and his wife on their wedding anniversary and God Bless. The topic being discussed is the movie Dirty Picture. Many members are interested in watching this movie and it will be fun no doubt seeing it together. Let's wait and see the outcome tomorrow morning.
Harish Wadhwa:
* Being late is fine. After all, we need the early morning deep sleep while the weather cools down. Some members unfortunately get kicked out of their homes: "Jaao baahar aur hamein soney doh!" Why should they penalise those who enjoy their comfort for a little longer time (pun intended)? All those who come early should go for a brisk walk and take a few more rounds of the Garden while others come in. LOL
* Can I ask -- Why is everyone curious to see The Dirty Picture instead of Jai Hanuman, Krishna, or the discourses of Jaya Row? Every morning they chant "Ram Ram Bol, Krishna Krishna Bol" and all they want to do is see The Dirty Picture, leaving their children and loved ones at home. Men are men. Yahaan toh women are equally interested? Kya baat, kya baat, kya baat... Any takes?