A December To Remember
Catching up with Ajay Dasani
It was the last December of the decade and my trip to Mumbai, in December 2019, was a memorable one. Catching up with the boys was on the agenda and so a mini reunion was in the works.
Kaustubh Wagle took the reins and texted, “ Welcome to Mumbai dear Ajay. It has been decided to meet on Monday at 6.30 pm on December 16th. Ajay request you to inform us the meeting place so as to host you.”
“Sir no host - we are family (Sister Sledge) look forward to meeting as many madcaps like myself and cracking the same old jokes and guffawing as if it was the first time we heard it! I’m sure ghosts of our teachers will be agitated but they shall be there with us in spirit as always! Guys please try and make it so we can sing together - Xavier’s glory the school we love best!” I replied and pleaded on our WhatsApp group chat.
As any smart husband will tell you to do, before catching up with the boys, I had a nice evening with the wife. Leena and I chose Mondegar Cafe in Colaba. Listening to black magic woman - cold kingfisher beer - hot lady with me - warm ambience of Mondegar Cafe - aaah Mumbai raat ki baho mein — Mondegar (when it was a proper Irani restaurant) spent so many evenings with Chetan Jhaveri when he stylishly smoked his 555s - while we waited opposite St Anne’s school to pick up his sister before heading home.
Well, so had to meet Chetan and we met at the Mockingbird and it was truly an evening to remember. Mockingbird Cafe Bar seemed to be a favorite with quite many of our classmates along with Chetan’s recent photo. Sitting too long in cafes & bars, I decided to stretch a bit with my buddy Vijay Chabria and our favorite sport of golf. Take a look at our photos both now & in our annual class photo. Xaverites for ever, friends for ever!
Monday, December 16th, 2019
We had a seriously great time first at the school sheer nostalgia - and for a change we actually crossed the school compound without bashing each other! Dinesh Khopkar, Farrokh Jijina, Parvez Variava, Percy Kawas and I - followed by bun maska and chai at Kyanis - Thanks to Percy for the photos and everlasting memories that we share with all. He made sure that we got a photo of the plaque that highlights our batch’s contribution in refurbishing the school toilets. Some of us old timers even relieved ourselves there, for old time sake.
Then, the celebrations continued at the Catholic Gymkhana - what a great place for a reunion! Am I glad I stumbled on to this one? Thanks to Francis Nazareth & his brother-in-law Francis Mascarenhas for the logistics! While Kaustubh coordinated with BIL Francis and the gymkhana, Pradeep Pathak ensured Rohinton Chogga’s attendance. He was making excuses of work to which Nitish Kati responded, “I’ll be driving all the way from Pune without complaint - so don’t give some bull about work and hospital. Show up.” Glad that Rohinton (Narayan Narayan) showed up so we could pull his short legs. I can tell you he’s feeling taller already now - btw if anyone sees a dazed bawa standing on Kennedy bridge peering into the windows wistfully- please take him back to Vikhroli.
In the Photos: Pradeep Phatak, Kaustubh Wagle, Rohinto Chogga, Dinesh Khopkar, Percy Kawas (Irani), Parvez Variava, Nitish Kati, Ajay Dasani & Yashpal Rane. Host Francis Mascarenhas (brother-in-law of Francis Nazareth) is in blue shorts.
Yashpal enjoyed listening to the noisy ones while Percy kept smiling to himself as is his wont - amused as always with his mates - Parvez happily listening to our tall tales throwing in the occasional pearl! Dinesh great part of the reunion - as always offering his tips if asked! Never misses the opportunity to catch up - the disappointment of the evening was Nitish! Great guy, entertaining lively and took all the bloody trouble of driving from Pune - but .... but he did not sing!!! But what a pleasure to see him. Will have to make him sing for his supper (and single malt) in Dubai in February 2020 - he is committed, so rest of you!! ?? Who’s joining??
What is it about school friends and reunions that it pumps so much adrenaline into you? And almost turns one into Benjamin Button?
“Good morning all. We had a great time yesterday both at our Alma Mater and the Catholic Gymkhana. Thanks to all of you for making it a great success” - Parvez Variava
As I was leaving for Dubai - I thought it was a wonderful trip meeting with all the champs - together and individually in a couple of cases - I was reflecting on the meetings and thought it was unusually rich this time. Met so many without a formal occasion unlike January earlier when we met for 150 years.
My Cup Runneth Over!
It seems my cup was meant to runneth over - this morning I stepped out of my sisters building (CCI chambers - also residence of Tushar Ruparel) and I hear my name -a loud shout from a helmet covered scooter rider. Naturally was taken aback and the guy parks his scooter and waves and says come here - now I’m wondering who’s the bloke and through the helmet he says I have been following your posts and pictures- I asked him to remove the helmet but before he did so the proverbial penny fell and now I yelled out - ‘Sanjay’!!! It was good old Sanjay Sawant! Of course I had to make a detour and returned this time to the CCI club where he insisted I have breakfast!
I told Sanjay he must have got hiccups cos we discussed him when his name came up at the Catholic Gym.! For the record, Sanjay is fighting fit - and back to playing snooker his passion and his life- as discussed at our meet he was in line to become world champion until certain events occurred - but then he has been national coach for 🇮🇳 ( fantastic) all these years! It was so gratifying to meet with him as well as all of the others at school, Kyanis, Catholic Gym, Mockingbird and now CCI!
Looking forward to seeing at least some of you in Dubai this February2020 !
Till then Au Revoir!!
Ajay Dasani
A Chartered Accountant by training and a Law Graduate, Ajay Dasani has spent over three decades in the Banking and Financial Services Industry in Corporate Banking/Corporate Finance, of which over 25 years have been in the Middle East. A passionate golfer, avid reader, restless traveler and a lifelong music student, Ajay is constantly learning and always eager to share knowledge, ideas, dreams and the way to fulfill them.
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