Inside Info

If Lokhandwala is seen as a microcosm of Mumbai city, the Garden should well epitomise the media industry. Let alone gossip and scandal, you’d also find hard news breaking here – political scoops, corporate leaks, murder, inside trading information, product launches… Long before the papers can even get a whiff of the story, it would have been discussed and analysed threadbare on the sidelines of the exercises.
Take the case of the Arun Tikku murder at Lokhandwala, currently hogging headlines. The papers and TV got cracking on the story just yesterday (Monday), but Santosh Tyagi (below, left) had already got the news on Saturday itself when she found cops swarming her building compound. She happens to reside in Samarth Aangan complex where the murder took place.
Obviously (as any news reporter would say) being at the right place at the right time has its advantages. But not for Ved Prakash Grover (right). A quiet and peaceful person, he has often to answer peculiar questions in the Garden on (of all the people), Rakhi Sawant – simply because she is his neighbour in Serenity Complex. The 'drama queen' is a known publicity monger and poor Grover has to explain to us her actions, as though he is responsible for her.
But then, many of our members have also learnt when to open their mouths and when to shut up. For instance, when film actor Shiney Ahuja was caught with his pants down some time back, those who stay in the vicinity (Tarapore Towers) maintained a dignified silence. Once the heat was off, they all started coming out with “inside information”, one more colorful than the other, on whether the man was guilty of raping his maid. Clearly, they understand that timing also matters.

Rare Chivalry

In a rare display of chivalry, the men in the group today switched places with the women, thus braving the sun and presenting the latter with the ‘luxury’ of exercising in the shade of the trees. Hari Singh Shekhawat said something about Vitamin D and the benefits of exposure to the early morning sun. Srichand Arora was more gallant. “All our lives we have endured hardships,” he said. “This too we will take in our stride so that our ladies are comfortable!”
Many ladies appreciated this fine gentlemanly gesture. Some even sympathized with the men as they got baked in the harsh sunshine – little realizing that nobody was doing anybody a favour. The men had conveniently vacated their places, primarily to save themselves from the droppings of crows nesting in the branches above. Now, it would be for the women to deal with this menace.
However, the big plus of the day was the huge turnout (well crossing the 30 mark) which is rather unusual for a Monday morning. As in the good old days, women outnumbered the men, leading to a lot of cross talk, mischievous jibes and loads of laughter. But oddly enough, the women appeared somewhat restrained today while the men, in their new position facing the blazing sun, were a restless and noisy lot.
Razia Khan, who was conducting the exercises, got so fed up by their behaviour that she actually asked Shekhawat and Yusuf Rassiwala to shut up – only to be told that they cannot help it. “Jagah ka asar hai!” they retorted shamelessly. In this atmosphere of madcap bonhomie, Monthi Serrao (above) gave away 'Easter Chocolates', leaving everyone with the feeling of a morning doubly well spent.

Day 615

Pic of the Week

-- a special watercolor work to celebrate the Easter spirit.

"This is no doubt a priceless photo and no words can describe the beauty of it!" --Renu Babani

"Happy Easter to Monthi, little Tian and all others of the family." --Bhaswati Bose

"Thank you for your wishes and blessings for Tian." --Monthi Serrao

"Monthi-ji, such a lovely and beautiful picture! You must copy and enlarge, then frame it. It will be a surprise for dear Tian when he grows into his teens." --Srichand Arora

Dummy Ads

Having now set its house in order, the Club entered the all-important phase of revenue generation this morning. The ‘dummy ads’ inserted in the side panel were explained to all present, the idea being to elicit everyone’s support and participation at building a common kitty for the larger good of all members. Yusuf Rassiwala (vice-chairman) was identified for administering and overseeing this crucial activity – of course, in close coordination with other members of the managing committee.
Essentially, the ‘dummy ads’ are just indicative of the space available and positioning of various insertions, potential advertisers who may be approached, the kind of revenue that can be expected from the products and services advertised, etc. It was also explained that nothing is fixed or final as every ad is open to negotiation as to its size, positioning and rates, since the blog has the inbuilt flexibility to accommodate all ads. However, we must try to avoid entertaining anything controversial or valued at less than Rs1,000 per insertion. Ideally we should aim at package deals for a year and an incentive of 10% would be given to whoever brings in ads. Yusuf Rassiwala (left) will have the final say in these matters.
Meanwhile, Neelam Garg ushered in her birthday (lead pic) with a box of chocolates – amidst much merriment, singing and the customary extra laugh after the exercises. She looked extra cheerful this morning. We join her in the celebration and wish her every happiness, good health, peace and contentment all her life. Happy Birthday, once again, Neelam Garg!
Dilip Babani:
Happy Birthday to Neelam-ji. God bless you. Choclate toh banta hai.

Damage Control

After yesterday’s brouhaha, peace and tranquility descended on the Garden. The club’s biggies had swung into action last evening (see final comment on yesterday’s post) and the results were there for all to see today. Still, by way of abundant caution, those intrepid firefighters had gathered in full strength (including Razia Khan and Yusuf Rassiwala) in case a need arose for further damage control. Even Kajal Babani and Kiran Sajjan were present, not wanting to take chances!
But there was really no need to be on high alert. Kishor Babani had already set the mood early morning by offering to go online and book one-way tickets on Make My Trip.Com for those who cared to pay a visit to the good god above. Srichand Arora too regaled everybody, at one point rebutting a pointed joke on his receding hairline as a sign of old age. “C’mon, I have seen many babies born, completely bald!” he quipped.
Even Ram Shankar Shukla and Ved Prakash Grover were at their ebullient best, repeatedly cutting in with one-liners and wisecracks. And by the time Hari Singh Shekhawat walked in jauntily, sporting that trademark smile, the past had been conclusively buried in all-consuming bouts of laughter and merriment.
The only bother was Hari Naraiyani (left), who had rejoined yesterday after his 21-day pilgrimage to Beas (near Amritsar). For an 83-year-old, he had been maintaining himself well. But now, for once, he looked dangerously frail and his voice has turned very feeble. Yesterday Kishor had to interrupt him in his exercises and make him rest on a bench with a bottle of water. Today Hari-bhai came to the Garden, but excused himself from the start. We just hope it is nothing more than fatigue and the oppressive morning heat that is telling on him. He surely needs some rest.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* "Follow me and I shall show you the way to a beautiful path!"
* "I am so tired and weak. Hope I can regain my stamina soon."
Srichand Arora:
* OUR DEAR HARI-BHAI IS STRONG ENOUGH. I'M SURE HE WILL GET BACK HIS STRENGTH SOON.
* Hi! Did you all mark that by the end of next week, we will cross 1,00,000 views? We deserve two extra, very loud laughs at that time. So please be ready and clear your chests...
Kishor Babani:
PEACE PREVAILS, THANKS TO OUR SENIORS FOR RESTORING NORMALCY.
Harish Wadhwa:
* Laughs se kaam nahin chalega, Arora-ji. Fafda-jalebi mangta hai. Bahut samay se nahin hua. 100,000 hits is no small achievement and we need to celebrate the hard work of all members, including the Guru Gyan of Kishor-da, Picspeak from Renu-ji, the harqats, pranks and blabber-blabber of the newsmakers, the sharing of memorable pictures for Pehchan Kaun, etc.
* Nice to see some dummy ads flashing on the side panel. This will surely send a signal to potential advertisers. Please also give one email id and phone number on the first ad: "Contact Mr... on phone... for ads in these spaces".
Srichand Arora adds:
Harish-bhai, my promise for fafda-jalebi stands, the day viewer hits touch six figure. On the first dummy ad, contact numbers are given. You just get us an ad from your company -- even on a discounted price and with commission of 10%... jalebi-fafda toh kahin gaya nahin naa!