He then asked the mandali, "How should we spend the 2nd? We cannot take even water that day, and something should be done to avoid thirst and hunger pains."
A lengthy discussion ensued, and Baba suggested, "Why not go to Poona that day where we can watch a Sunday cricket match and then return in the evening? We won't feel thirsty or hungry if we are absorbed in seeing the game."
The men mandali agreed, and it was resolved to proceed to Poona in Nariman's car, which had been kept in Satara for Baba's use.
Vishnu had departed for Poona on the 1st for some work, and Baba told him to join them on their return to Satara on the evening of the 2nd. Meherjee was called to Satara from Poona on the 1st and instructed to bring several crates of soda water. It was Baba's standing order for him to come to Satara by bus. But because he had been told to bring the soda, Meherjee drove to Satara in his new, imported Chevrolet. When he arrived, Baba was furious with him.
"Why did you break my order and come in your car? Send it back to Poona immediately."
So, Meherjee sent the car back with the driver and he stayed the night.
On the pretext of going to enjoy a cricket match, Baba left Satara in Nariman's 1952 two-tone blue Chevrolet for Poona on 2 December, accompanied by Eruch, Pendu, Meherjee and Nilu. On the way, Baba changed places with Nilu, moving from the front to the back seat.
It was a cold and cloudy, overcast day. Just as they arrived in Poona, their car was stopped near Swargate due to the official motorcade of the Prime Minister of China, Chou En-lai, who was in town with Prime Minister Nehru, on their way to Pimpri to visit the Central Water and Power Research Station and the National Penicillin Factory.1 Nilu was anxious to get out of the car and watch them pass, but Baba made a face and shook his head. Nilu persisted, and finally Baba gave in. Nilu walked a ways to an intersection, stood on the road as the car sped by with Chou En-lai and Nehru, and then he returned to Baba's car.
In Poona, Jalbhai joined the group, and they proceeded to the cricket grounds, parked the car under a tree and began watching the game. Baba sat in the car, while the mandali stood nearby. Frequently, Jalbhai was sent to find out who was batting and the score. Despite their fast, Baba gave each of the mandali a banana to eat.
Footnotes
- 1.Chou En-lai had arrived in Poona from Delhi on 1 December 1956.