Over the last few years, I have missed a quite a few family functions especially weddings. I always loved such occasions when one could meet everybody under one roof and enjoy the good times. I had been told by one of my colleagues at the Training centre that the place where I was going for my second posting at Moonak would give me quite a few opportunities to be part of weddings. Anyways, I didn't remember that but the moment I stepped into this Branch, I found that someone had come by to invite us (I was already "in" then) for one such wedding reception. One of the colleagues there told me that Punjabi weddings are very extravagant and colourful and promised us to take along. I could understand the “extravagant” bit but was not so sure about the “colourful” aspect of it. Nevertheless, the day came and I hopped into one of the hired vehicles.
On reaching there, I asked my Manager whether we have been invited by the Groom or the Bride. He informed that we are part of the Baraat. We entered the venue and couldn’t find any body seated there for all were busy at the Food Stalls savouring various delicacies on offer. I was surprised to find no trace of the Bride or the Groom. Anyways, the aroma of the food was too much to be ignored. Like a Jury member in a Science Exhibition, I visited all the stalls one by one picking up whatever I liked (actually I picked up a bit of all for the sake of my “unbiased apettite”). In a while, I also felt thirsty and headed towards the Stall where I could see lots of empty glasses. I asked them for a glass of water and the man at the counter opened a bottle of Blender’s Pride. I thanked him for his “Customer Up-gradation skills” but then I never liked Whiskey. I was about to turn around but then thought of enquiring for some Vodka. Vodka stumped that man and his face suggested that he felt abused and so without further delay I came back to join the rest of the Bankers. You do not mess around with Sardarjis and that too drunk ones. It seemed I started the flow of drinks as shortly I could see a glass in every hand except mine. I opted for some caffeine instead.
The Baraat finally arrived with lots of hungama and 100 Pipers. All d Guests gathered around the Gate to catch a glimpse of the Lead Pair. Even we waited for sometime but then they were taking an eon to move in. So, we decided to head for the Buffet Counter. With lots of hope based on the wide range of starters and fast food that we enjoyed an hour back, I checked out all and it turned out that the hosts were vegetarian. The non-vegetarian in me was disappointed for sure but even good vegetarian food is a luxury for me now. That is the advantage of being a non-vegetarian….wide choices that one has. The gulab jamuns were perhaps the best that I have had in a long time. The moment I saw them the Bengali in me screamed MISHTI……I had one then I had another and then I enjoyed a couple more.
By the time we finished eating, live on stage entertainment in the form of singing and dancing had already started. A few girls started off with Salaam karne ki arzoo hain……and then they shifted gears and rocked the stage with Sheila ki Jawaani. Now a days, Sheila and Munni always go together wherever they are invited. Here I witnessed something which I had hitherto seen only in movies….Guys coming and showering currency notes on the lead dancer and she was playing along with the young philanthropists who were evidently on a high due to her Rakhi SawantISH adaa and little alcohol. But the best part was that a Guy dedicatedly was there gathering all the notes which could not find a place in her Ghagra or Choli and fell on the stage. For Bankers like us, it was a terrible sight. Here we are struggling for deposit mobilization and here we find our prospective customer throwing away money like dirt. 9.5% interest doesn’t work here, for these people the interest lies somewhere else. That day we gained a valuable lesson. Don’t misinterpret….I don’t mean that the Bankers also should starting dancing with skimpily clothed Sheilas and Munnis.
We enjoyed ourselves till midnight and still the wedding rituals had not kicked off. We went to the stage where the couple were seated. We wished them Good Luck and got a photo clicked. One last handshake with the host and we came back. I had a good time away from the boring environs of the workplace but was dead tired especially after 143 handshakes. In Punjab, Sardarjis like to hold your hands. I hope the same is the case with beautiful Punjabi Kudis as well. On a serious note, Athithi Sewa is the best in Punjab.
