This Too Shall Pass

Our chairman, Hari Singh Shekhawat does not know to fight. He flares up easily, gets emotional and willy nilly plays into the hands of the opposition. This is exactly what happened in the morning when a group of belligerent ladies, spearheaded by Geeta Sardana, Bhaswati Bose and Ramila Mistry, levelled charges of rigging in the April 2 voting (see post). Ideally he should have turned a deaf ear. At best, he could have silenced all argument by telling the ladies to respect the majority verdict. Period.
Instead, in all his simplicity and straight-forwardness, he turned defensive and engaged the ladies in an endless diatribe (lead pic) over the rights and wrongs of the issue, thereby giving them additional ammunition to corner him further. Things were bound to reach flash point. Shekhawat lost his temper and walked away in a huff, threatening to resign.
All this while, Srichand Arora (left) stood his ground, cool as a cucumber. Fully composed, he tried to make sense of the cause of agitation while reasoning with all that dissent is always welcome in a democratic set-up. He had almost won everybody’s confidence when from nowhere, Shekhawat showed up again and started another round of emotional slugfest. By then, silent observers like Pratap Bhatt and Ram Shankar Shukla felt fortified enough to also raise their voices and add fuel to fire.
An issue, which could well have been nipped in the bud, was thus blown out of proportion today. Sitaram Hivarkar (right) tried to drive a compromise by suggesting a “three month period of observation” – effectively indicating that a daily attendance register be maintained and for absenting members, look-out notices be posted! The suggestion miraculously found favour with all present, despite the impracticality of it all.
Well, this too shall pass.
Ramila Mistry:
I favour Sitaram-ji's suggestion. I am sure Arora-ji will help to take proper decision and find a solution. The Club members are both men and women. They should give respect to each other. Now that the Club is registered, its name should not be spoiled. Be careful.
Harish Wadhwa:
Temperature was soaring this morning and was felt by all observers and Garden folk -- which could have been avoided. While the Managing Committee was fair in its approach, intent and action, the objections must have come as a surprise. Come on, this is a simple issue and could have been resolved easily by a simple dialogue.
Bhaswati Bose:
The charges levelled against the Managing Committee are genuine. The last few days there was a lot of discontent amongst us. Only a gutsy lady like Geeta-ji could bring up the issue in front of everybody. Others joined in the protest after that. Yes, our Chairman did lose his temper and how! But all credit to our Secretary who not only patiently and politely heard our grievances, but also promised to make amends. I think Sitaram-ji’s suggestion is sensible and just and can surely be implemented. All said and done, today’s agitation was a revelation:
1. It revealed Arora-ji as the right person for the highly responsible job he holds.
2. It revealed the hidden side of some members who reacted like wounded tigers.
3. It revealed a sense of belonging amongst all the members who protested, argued, quarreled, fought or threatened to resign. The Club does matter to us!
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* "What is going on here? Why doesn't anyone understand me? I give up!!!"
* "We need to arrive at a solution right away before any further issues."
* "Everyone has a right of speech. So let's give all a chance!"
Kishor Babani:
Neutral. No comments.
Geeta Sardana:
Sitaram-ji has given a good suggestion. Arora-ji's response was good. We should be careful that such things do not happen in future.
Monthi Serrao:
Rules and regulations should be followed to avoid problems and misunderstanding in future. Sitaram-ji's suggestion can be considered.
Srichand Arora:
* After long discussions between Managing Committee members (except Ms Monthi, who is busy with some religious functions), Shri Shekahwat admitted his mistake for being loud. I feel if someone admits a mistake, it is our duty and binding to forgive and forget. Hence, we decided no more fuss on this issue and no sorry or thank you to anyone by anyone. Cheer up all and join us for the morning laughter and exercise. We all agree that whatever happened was not good. But after all, we are a family and such things happen. Be assured it will not be repeated hereafter.
* Dear friends, no more comments on this issue. Thanks!

Logical End

Monthi Serrao can get some sleep today. She was made treasurer of the Club on March 17 (see post) and since then, she has been caught in a maddening whirl of number crunching, banking formalities, keeping count of cash collections, ensuring documentation is done, and so on. The exercise has finally reached its logical conclusion.
This morning, soon after the exercises, Monthi announced (right) that an account has been opened yesterday at Canara Bank in the name of the Club with herself, the secretary (Srichand Arora) and chairman (Hari Singh Shekhawat) as the authorized signatories. It is a ‘savings account’ and a deposit of Rs11,000-odd has been made from the cash collected so far. The contribution of four members, who are presently out-of-town, would be added later to the seed money.
With the opening of this account, the ambiguity over whether the Club would be saddled with a non-interest earning ‘current account’ has been settled for good. It also resolves the confusion over having to go in for registration as a pre-requisite for opening a bank account. However, for all matters of financial management and propriety, the buck stops with our treasurer.
Monthi of course, enjoys the confidence of the members in general and managing committee in particular, without whose support and cooperation this exercise could not have been completed. Shekhawat already had a running account with Canara Bank and his personal equation with the branch manager has greatly facilitated matters. Arora, on his part, had been toiling day and night and his contribution at bringing things to this head can never be quantified nor compensated. Yusuf Rassiwala (vice chairman) too has been just as forthcoming, both as troubleshooter and enabler – not to mention Razia Khan (joint secretary), who was seen, even this morning, diligently collecting signatures (left) for getting her paperwork in order. To all of them, the leading sentinels of Big Laaf, we bow our heads in salutation and gratitude.
Harish Wadhwa:
Now it is the turn of Gupta-ji to help us take this account further. Blog Monster, can you put up boxes on the side panel of the page, indicating the space available for ads? Not to forget that we are heading steadily to reach the magic number of 100,000 hits... Wow! This shows how keen and interested people are.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* "Excuse me, please may I say something at this point?"
* "What sort of a document is this? And why is it so important?"

‘Toofan Express’

After yesterday’s hi-drama (see post), today had to be relatively tame and low-key. Many did not turn up. Among the absentees were those who regularly conduct the exercises, including Yusuf Rassiwala and Razia Khan. Even Srichand Arora took a break – although he showed up briefly in the Garden, minutes before the exercises were to start.
So ultimately it was left to Dilip Babani to kick up some excitement and get the exercises going for the day. And what a way he went about it! Within moments of stepping inside the circle, he had got the whole group charged, gleefully challenging everyone to catch up with what was the human equivalent of a runaway train. After a while some pleaded with him to stop, or at least slow down; but Dilip was not listening today. He was on his own trip.
Racing through one exercise after another, he flapped his arms with joy and twisted and turned in every direction like weathercock gone crazy. He jackknifed up and down, stretched himself, held his breath and turned left, then right, even rolled his head like a top. For his bulk, it was incredible how he could summon the required reserves of energy on a hot, humid morning and still remain in control. And who would say this was the first time he was conducting the exercises? But eventually everyone had to give up on him. “This is not Toofan Mail, this is Toofan Express!” a thoroughly traumatized Ram Shankar Shukla concluded breathlessly.
Harish Wadhwa:
Toofan Express was interesting. Well done, Dilip-bhai. In fact, I found the pace was right and not too fast. Sometimes the speed gets too much of a drag... Very Good, Very Good, Yeah!!!
Bhaswati Bose:
Well done, Dilip-Bhai. Just go a little slow. Otherwise we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves today.
Srichand Arora:
Dilip-ji, I appreciate and personally thank you for conducting our morning session. And Blog Monster, I am sure the day is not far when all members will have the capacity to hold the centre position. Thanks a lot for motivating them.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
"I have the energy, I have the determination...nothing's gonna stop me now!"
[P.S: Well done, Dilip. Hopefully, you will turn up early tomorrow as well. I definitely prefer this Toofan Express!]

Secret Ballot

Two new words entered our collective consciousness today: Secret Ballot. Till yesterday, there were no secrets in the Club, nor was there any question of a ballot. People wandered in and out casually, exercised at will and drifted away unannounced. Some stayed back and the membership list was accordingly revised from time to time. But now, with the by-laws in place, every entrant is expected to be not only regular for three months at a stretch, but to also enjoy the confidence of 80 per cent of the members before s/he can be admitted to the Club.
For Jagmohan Papneja, Arun Patil and Hem Chand Jain, today was their day of reckoning. The question of their induction, which had been hanging fire for long, was put to rest with 26 members casting their vote in what was to be the first electoral exercise of its kind for the Club.
Earlier, Srichand Arora issued a formal notice (on behalf of the chairman) and distributed slips of paper for members to mark their vote, for or against. They dutifully stood their turn in a queue (lead pic) and hung around patiently through the three rounds of counting (right), little realizing that they had inadvertently turned the Garden into a sprawling open-air polling station. Also, in the best traditions of democracy, there was the usual flurry of activity accompanied by frantic phone calls, whisper campaigns and reckless lobbying that precede any poll. At one stage, Santosh Tyagi even became apprehensive of “booth capturing”!
But in the end, all three candidates sailed through with an overwhelming margin: Jain leading the table with 21 votes in favour (out of 26), followed by Papneja with 20 and Patil with 18. Their endorsement by the managing committee now remains a formality. Here Jain and Patil are seen (left) flanked by Arora and Shekhawat, the two guardians of the Club instrumental for carrying the day. Papneja was away at Delhi on an emergency.
Big Laaf congratulates the winners and welcomes them into its fold.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* "Okay, everyone please stay in line and wait your turn... patience!"
* "I don't know what to do with these pieces of paper..."
* "Celebration time as we join the Club!"

Day 608

Pehchan Kaun!

Neelam Garg says she’s somewhere in this photograph. You have one chance and seven days to identify her. (Single-click on the pic for a full-screen image.) Winners will be declared on April 7, 2012 (Saturday) – Neelam’s birthday.

* "She is sixth from left on the second row from top!" --Bhaswati Bose

* "Yes Bhaswati-ji, I think you are correct. The 6th one from left in 2nd row is Baby Neelam. She is the only cute looking baby and that is why Mr Garg is so sold out on her." --Srichand Arora

* "You both are wrong. She is 5th from the left side in first row sitting. I hope I am 100% correct." --Dilip Babani

* "I second Dilip on that. Let's wait and see." --Renu Babani

* "First row, 5th from left." --Sushma Gupta

* "Don't know where Neelam-ji is, but Mr Garg is standing in the third row, second from the right. She could be in the second row, third from the right. [By the way Neelam-ji, yeh class teacher kaun hai?. On a lighter note, please.] --Harish Wadhwa

* "I think the teacher is Neelam-ji, in disguise. Ha Ha Ha!" -- Kishor Babani

Happy All Fools' Day!

* "This prank floored me squarely. But why was the cat let out of the bag before the 7th? At least Neelam-ji would have told us who the class teacher is!" --Harish Wadhwa