Name Calling

Everybody in the Club knows who our “Lord Hanuman” is. But he is never addressed as such. Just that, every time Kishor Babani (right pic) hails the monkey god in the course of our exercises, all heads would automatically turn towards the Garden gate. And there, sure enough, this portly gent would be seen, slowly making his way towards us.
Like Hanuman, we have a "Pandurang Baba" in our midst. As also a "Tedha Sher", "Qutub Minar", "Shahrukh Khan", "Dedh Futia", "Bhalu Chhey"… names that might sound idiotic, but well define the informal nature of our relationship and the abiding closeness we share as members of one family.
Yet somehow, ladies have insulated themselves from being 'named' – till Ramila Mistry (left pic), short of being called a hospital, became “Kokilaben” recently. And now Shekhawat (right pic, below) has earned the moniker, “Sheikh Abdullah” (after former J&K chief minister), thanks to his initiative at herding a huge group to Srinagar this September. “It takes a lot of courage to handle a group of 37 in Kashmir, unless of course, you are Sheikh Abdullah,” quipped Hari Naraiyani.
In this marvelous menagerie of oddballs strange things happen every day, as any follower of this blog would have figured out. Today, Srichand Arora had to restrain Nafisa Sayyad from breaking into paroxysms of dance steps while the song Mujhe teri mohabbat ka sahara… played on during the exercises. The lady was eager to demonstrate how this sublime number of yesteryears would be choreographed in present times – replete with pelvic thrusts, gyrations and punching the air.
But then, the biggest and happiest surprise of the morning came when Sardar Tohba Singh (left pic) announced the “new entrant” in his family -- a granddaughter. To celebrate the event, this otherwise quiet and self-effacing Sikh gentleman treated us to boxes of sweets and savories soon after the exercises. He needn’t have – because he is technically not a member. He does not even belong to Bombay. He is from Faridabad, on vacation and staying with his son in the neighborhood. To us, he is a guest. But we have obviously managed to corrupt him also.
Many congratulations to you, Sardar-ji! Our blessings and good wishes go to the newborn and her parents as well.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* "Look at us, always cheerful and happy and no one can change that!"
* "I am the senior amongst all of you and appreciate you accepting me as part of your group."

Taking Chances

With the monsoon playing hide and seek, Shekhawat has become increasingly adventurous by the day. He comes early to the Garden and no matter how heavily overcast the sky is, he’d lead the group out in the open for the exercises. Somehow, he has developed an aversion for exercising in the Chinese Hut and would rather take his chances with getting wet in the rain.
Today was no different. Dark clouds hung over the Garden and it looked as though the rains would descend any moment. But Shekhawat was determined. Disregarding protests from members, he headed straight out and started his Ram Ram Bol. The drizzles came and went. And each time Shekhawat kept guaranteeing that it would not pour till we were done with the exercises.
If Shekhawat had a supporter, it was Nahid Khan. She chided others for being mortally afraid of “dissolving in water” when it rains. Nafisa Sayyed however, had no patience for niceties and kept urging Nahid to rush through the exercises phata-phut instead of indulging in idle talk. Even Santosh Tyagi and Harbans Singh were unusually quiet in their anxiety to beat the rain gods.
The up-side of all this was that we were ready to disperse at least 10 minutes ahead of time – but not before Monthi Serrao (in pic) rewarded us with sweet crispy biscuits her daughter had brought from Jaipur. That was a nice bonus for being extra diligent today – for a change.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
"That looks yummy... Maybe I should take a second helping!"

Bouquet & Kalakand

In an immeasurably touching gesture, the Club broke convention and greeted the Bose couple (pic left) with a bouquet of roses on their return to the Garden today. The felicitation was ostensibly for their wedding anniversary (which fell earlier this month) when they were out on vacation.
The ceremony took many by surprise, even as Shekhawat appealed to everyone not to disperse after the exercises. Apparently, he had also made telephone calls to ensure a healthy turnout this morning. Only when Arora strode in with the bouquet and requested Santosh Tyagi, the senior-most lady member to do the honours, did things fall into place. Visibly humbled by the unprecedented experience, the Boses reciprocated the members’ warmth and kindness with chocolate bars they had picked up from Prague.
However, a more deserving candidate for the bouquet today should have been Santosh Tyagi’s granddaughter, Arushi who has just passed high school in London with flying colours. Evidently, this phenomenally talented girl has attained such high grades that she will not be required to change her alma mater and for the next three years, would be pursuing higher studies in computer engineering in the same institution.
In her joy and appreciation of this meritorious feat, the proud grandmother distributed freshly made kalakand (right pic above) to all present this morning. (Santosh however insists that the treat was directly from Arushi, who happens to be a keen follower of this blog.) On our part, we can only applaud from afar and bless the girl at keeping up the good work and doing still better in life.
Congratulations, once again, Arushi!
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* What a beautiful bouquet of roses... so thoughtful and unexpected!
* Yes, sweets after exercising for all to share the pride and happiness as a family?
P.S.: It was great to see the regulars back this morning. Hopefully it stays that way.
Dilip Babani:
Welcome home, Mr and Mrs Bose. Nice to see you.

Day 696

Pic of the Week

If only they came a little clo...

Life offers immense possibilities in a Salzburg cycle stand!
Kishor Babani:
I think I have seen this black fellow in Mumbai recently. But what is he doing in Salzburg? Even these beauties are screaming 'Shah Rukh Khan'!
Renu Babani:
"Mumbai? Why would I want to be there when I have such beauties behind me?"
Dilip Babani:
Indian hero in between European heroines looking handsome; but where is Rani Mukherjee?

Quick Recap

Just to register our return to blogosphere. Like it or not, you will have to suffer us every day from now on. Renu Babani (pic below) has very kindly provided us an update of the past two weeks for the record. Here are the highlights:
June 26: The general body meeting has been postponed till further notice.
June 27: Strong winds and dark skies. But great weather.
June 28: When it rains, it pours. The few members who turned up, were treated to suji ka halwa, courtesy Santosh Tyagi. Today was her grand-daughter's birthday.
June 30: Seven members celebrated their birthday by distributing boxes from Vyanjan: Mohankanwar Shekawat, Kiran Arora, Sunita Jajodia, Khatoon Baig, Naheed Khan, Sushma Gupta and Ved Prakash Grover. Purushottam Sharma was a surprise guest.
July 3: Discussions on a trip to Lonavala. Shekhawat finds out that the place where we usually stay is currently under renovation. No chance before September.
July 4-5: Heavy rains, gloomy weather.
July 7: Extra laugh for Yusuf Rassiwala -- for not wearing his cap!
Kishor Babani:
Welcome back to Mumbai, our refreshed Blog Monster. Hope to see you soon in the Garden.
Srichand Arora:
Welcome back home. Hope to see you on M O N D A Y morning.