It was Sarla’s idea to rustle up a support party for Anna Hazare — the key word being, of course, party. “Nothing elaborate,” she said, it had to be a simple affair, and seeing that it was about joint participation, she decided in favour of a pool party, giggling when Sujata wanted to know whether she could bring the kids over too, they’d been so keen to start swimming again. “Not a swimming pool party, you fool,” she laughed, “but a pooling in party — you, for instance,” she told her, “can probably bring the caviar.”
The idea had immediate support in the neighbourhood where no one seemed keen on braving the heat and dust at Jantar Mantar to buttress Anna Hazare while he clung resolutely to his fast. “Though the candles do look lovely,” sighed Padma, watching thousands of people streaming in candle-lit processions across the television screen. “Right,” said Sarla, who was hosting a planning party before the main party, “that takes care of the décor — I’ll light lots of candles and switch off the lights which,” she pointed out the additional benefit, “will also commemorate my commitment to the Earth Hour, even though it’s over, but when I couldn’t switch off the lights because” – what else? – “I had some people over for a party.”
“Why couldn’t Hazare have held his fast on karva-chauth?” Lily moaned — she alone among my wife’s friends was famous for never going on a diet, and dreaded the annual fast when, according to neighbourhood legend, she stocked up her wardrobe with emergency rations so her mother-in-law couldn’t catch her stuffing her mouth with food instead of keeping it empty to prolong her son’s life and health — “I hope pledging our support doesn’t mean having to stay hungry as well.” “Don’t be silly, darling,” said Sarla, digging into a chicken tikka, “it’s Anna who is on a fast, we’re merely adding our voice to his cause.”
Lily looked relieved, but Chandni wanted to know the reason for Anna’s fast. “I think he’s asking for votes,” said Sarla. “No, no,” said Nandini, who considers herself well-read, “he’s doing it because the climate is changing in, er, the world.” “Maybe it’s in support of Japan,” hazarded Sheila. “It’s because he doesn’t approve of nuclear plants,” said Flora. “My husband says,” added Padma, “he wants to end corruption,” which made everyone laugh, and Sarla said, “Your husband knows nothing Padma, because if it weren’t for corruption, we’d never get anything done — why, we wouldn’t have even power, or water, if it wasn’t for the poorly paid officials who, for a little bit extra, take care of these things for us.”
“The important thing,” she continued, “is not why Anna is fasting, but that we’re all with him,” and handing out sheets, she decided who was to get the biryani, the roast ham, the whisky and the vodka. “I cannot think of an appropriate theme for fasting clothes,” she mused, “so everyone can come in their party clothes.” “Oh, and we can all sign our names in support of Anna Hazare’s fast,” said Kali, who was a sarkari spouse, “and I’ll have my husband send his office car with his secretary to make sure it’s personally delivered to him at Jantar Mantar.”
Flora and Padma were given the additional task of inviting the social press to cover the party in support of Anna’s fast, Lily had to make sure there was enough ice, and it was Sarla’s husband who volunteered to handle the music for the party. “Even though the neighbours will complain,” he pointed out, “but I’ll bribe the cops, when they come to the door, with a couple of notes and,” he added with a wink, “some chicken and whisky.”
