Chastened

After all the amusement and drama yesterday, things were on a relatively low-key today. Many compulsive late-comers like Pratap Bhatt, Kajal Babani and Sandhya Narang did not turn up this morning, presumably out of fear of being reprimanded. Even Shekhawat wanted to play truant, but when Arora called him from home, he apologetically held his ears and performed a sit-up before joining the exercises.
Otherwise, it was a quiet and peaceful morning, the focus of attention divided between the Diwali collections and firming up on the March 2013 trip. Arora came up with a new route map that begins at Amritsar and ends at Pathankot with Katra, Dalhousie, Shimla and Manali in between.
It was also decided that during the trip, Shekhawat would take care of ‘money management’ while Arora will look after ‘man management’. The rest is being outsourced to a tour operator.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
"Listen, you must try to understand... it is not how it looks."
Harish Wadhwa:
* High hopes Arora-ji. Men can be managed but not the woo-men!
* Chai session was nice today, but for the fact that the woo-men kept their distance (from men) and kept chatting among themselves."
Renu Babani adds:
I beg your pardon, don't underestimate us. We have always proved ourselves!

Chastised!

Like every other morning, Razia Khan and Nafisa Sayyad went about their rounds on the walking track, unmindful that the exercises had begun. They are however, not the only ones to do so habitually. Among others, Harbans Singh, Renu Babani and Ramila Mistry are equally guilty of giving the laughter exercises a go-by and continuing with their walk regardless.
So it came as a major surprise when Srichand Arora today picked on Razia and took her to task for not joining the exercises on time. She was summoned to the middle and made to do sit-ups (top pic) while everyone laughed. Thoroughly chastened, Razia however, had the last word. “Henceforth, if you do not punish others like this, I will make you do sit-ups here,” she threatened Arora.
But Arora was in complete drill sergeant mode this morning. One by one, he pulled up all the late-comers – Sandhya Narang, Monthi Serrao, Kajal Babani, Kiran Sajjan, Harish Wadhwa… much to the delight of others. “Aaj sab ki parade ho rahi hai!” quipped Nahid Khan mischievously. It must however, be said that there was not a murmur of protest or resistance from anyone, which only goes to show the mature behaviour of our members. Any act of defiance could have vitiated the atmosphere of the Club.
Bapu Rane and Pratap Bhatt though were visibly hard-pressed by Arora’s dadagiri as their bladders had begun to protest against his diktat that nobody should leave the exercises midway. They needed to visit the loo desperately. The two gentlemen held on in silence, hopping from one foot to another, till Jagmohan Papneja suddenly excused himself and strode away boldly to take a leak. No sooner was he back than Rane grabbed Bhatt by the hand and like gleeful children, they scampered away to relieve themselves. They returned only after the exercises were over.
Before dispersing for the day, Shekhawat confirmed (bottom pic) that the Diwali lunch has been fixed for November 16 at Northern Indian Tadka.
Harish Wadhwa:
Bhaswati-ji's picture is terrific -- breaking into hysteria like a school girl while Razia-ji does dand-baithak. How could she and Sunita-ji do this when somebody was getting pulled up by Arora-ji? Iss ki saza milegi, zaroor milegi! Coincidentally, Shekhawat-ji is surrounded by five pretty women as he is seen explaining the importance of big five.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* Murgi or murga, what difference does it make? Nobody will change!
* The Five Commandments...
Rizwan Khan:
Hahahaha... Nice article!

Revised Itinerary

The itinerary for the March 2013 tour of northern India has been turned on its head. Instead of starting from Jammu and ending at Amritsar with the Wagah border-post (pic alongside), the journey will now be the other way around. We board the Paschim Express from Mumbai to reach Amritsar the following evening and after checking in for two nights, head towards Jammu City with extended halts enroute at Dharamshala and Manali. A helicopter ride to the Vaishnodevi shrine from Katra (near Jammu) would be an added bonus.
Spelling out the details of the trip this morning, Hari Singh Shekhawat (below pic) explained that the itinerary had to be revised in view of the comfort and convenience of the elderly, especially ladies. “Instead of cramming too many destinations in too short a time or extending the trip to a fortnight, we found it prudent to drop some spots of lesser importance and limit the trip to a week or so with ample time for rest and recreation,” he said.
Apart from the fatigue factor, issues of logistics and financials (in order to make the trip affordable to all) have also influenced the revision. Srichand Arora is however, keen on squeezing Shimla in the itinerary and has sought the advice of some local tour operators. This should also give us a fair idea on whether it would be more economical to go for a package deal with a professional agency or carry on on our own.
As of now, the trip should cost no more than Rs15000 per head, with an additional Rs5000 as buffer for incidentals and unforeseen expenses.
Harish Wadhwa:
* Hats off to the enthusiasm of this club of 'young people' who are set for yet another long journey. Great idea folks and go ahead...
* Arora-ji wants to re-visit his honeymoon destination, Shimla where he lost/ gave his heart away to a beautiful lady. Arora-ji, you will not find it there or anywhere as the 'thief' is over-possessive and will never return it to you. God bless!
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
* 1... 2... 3... best leg forward and attention!
* Everyone has something to say. When does it really end?

Day 815

Pic of the Week

Why go laal-peela... when we are already scared?

"EEEEEEEK! Ye kya hua, ye kaun hai?" --Renu Babani

OUR FUTURE PRESIDENT. BUSY IN DEBATE ON WAR. -- Kishor Babani

"You will not wear caps, you will come late, you will talk during the exercises and still you want me not to be laal-peela? I will turn hara-neela also!" --Bhaswati Bose

Never saw such colours of Arora-ji (literally)! But the colours I like the most about him are his friendly and caring nature, being everyone's well-wisher, his warmth and big heartedness, natural joviality... Just wondering whether Vidya Balan was passing by that even his picture had to turn to see her? --Harish Wadhwa

Beyond Redemption

We are increasingly turning into a bunch of scatterbrains. Or so it would seem. No amount of trying to instil good sense or orderly conduct is ever going to work. We are well beyond redemption.
Still, Srichand Arora gave it his best shot this morning. After repeatedly requesting a group of talkative ladies to pay attention during the exercises, he went gunning at Ramila Mistry (of the ‘we-have-become-daring’ fame), physically pulling her out of her group and planting her at a far end of the circle. He strode back jubilantly, only to discover that the lady was just behind, following him like an awkward ostrich, step for step, till she returned to her original spot!
Now, what can anyone do in this situation? Arora screamed at Santosh Tyagi, hollered at Harbans Singh, accused Bhaswati Bose of being the chief troublemaker and tore his hair in exasperation... till Kishor Babani rescued him from his misery. In the same way Ramila was pulled out, Kishor led Arora by the hand to another position so that HE stops making noise.
Truly, we are beyond redemption.
Renu Babani's PICSPEAK:
"Let me take you where the ladies are in discussion. Very interesting!"
Harish Wadhwa:
A synonym for Ladies is Chatter-Box and engaging in chatter is their janam-siddh adhikar. Why pull them up for what they are born with? They are only following their God-gifted instinct, just like men who want to change women (Never)! Actually it is the ladies' chatter which makes men jealous as they can never understand what they talk about. God bless them alike.
Renu Babani adds:
I had no idea that the men were feeling left out. No wonder they have started their own little gossip sessions during the exercises! You men can never out beat us, so don't even try!