Is turning ‘70’ a reminder that a senior citizen has touched another milestone making him feel more ‘Old’. Well, in cricket reaching 70 (score) portends being in line for a big score (100) as the batter is well-set. In today’s world, our ebullient near-dear ones, well wishing friends will have none of the ‘senior’ stuff. As Mark Twain said ‘Age is an issue of mind over matter, if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter’ – between feeling elderly and retaining youthfulness is a choice and let’s look at it, ‘70’ is just another (round) figure !
With this in mind I suppose, 70th Birthday Celebrations for ‘Yours Truly’ were arranged with style and panache at a prestigious Club of this megacity by the terrific duo of my redoubtable banker niece, Runa and my much better half, Tandra. An endearing tribute that touched my heart (that’s yet to recover), it was attended by close relatives (in Mumbai) including two sisters from US, elder sister, her son & his wife from Baroda and school buddies who travelled from Pune, Delhi & Lucknow to join in saying ‘Cheers’ !
Like an ‘Afternoon of Bliss’, there was affectionate re-bonding between us siblings & our relatives and joyous bon-homie and camaraderie as long lost friends reconnected with warm banter, reminisces and flashbacks of old days and ‘Remember when..’ moments. The articulate presenter for the afternoon was Kalyani, my kid sister, but now a veteran in organizing many events in her hometown in Indiana, US. While my Baroda-wali Didi (Bijoya, but we call her ‘Big B’), spoke eloquently about her brother, my son Srimanto was joined by his wife Shweta & I felt so emotional singing with him possibly after long.
There were some feeble attempts at ‘Roasting’ a young bloke turning 70, lovely recorded messages and virtues (hidden & known) were recounted by my old friends and loyal school chums. A beautiful presentation with vintage pictures and narration depicted my ‘life and times’ ! Conceived by my US based Sister (Prof Chakravarty) she titled it ‘Seven Life Lessons’. She said she’d learnt from me over the years. Coming from a person who’s inspired us through excellent literary achievements, this was humbling & heartwarming.
For me, it’s been a sparkling start to ‘another’ second innings and celebrations such as these, give one the feel of having received a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ not from any official jury but from those who love us ! ‘Who made this happy miracle happen’ – Well, my niece Runa has a habit of pulling off wonders as she did here too. The driving force however, with all heart and soul, was Tandra, who makes my life better than the best !
Working on Living 