My birthday falls on 1 August and most of my relatives never forget to wish on the date as it was a grand celebration during my childhood. During the day time, Naam Kirtan (Puja) is done by the priest and elders. In the evening full-on feast and party is done with the neighbors and relatives. As we owned a restaurant the food was always great. In the night time VCP/VCR are bought on hire and bollywood movies are been played whole night and the people who come for sleepover enjoy many blockbuster flims.
Things changed after my father's death my mother tried hard to celebrate my birthday by serving Rice Pudding (Payasam) and Puri Sabji or Rice. Our close relatives comes in the celebration. Year by year the price of the food commudities rises and my mother's pension was always limited.
One year I remember due to some problem my mother pension didn't came in time. It was a hot sunny day, I was lying on the floor. I knew my mother's problem she was sad that she didn't have money to celebrate my birthday. Even I was sad but we have no option.
In the hot afternoon the door bell rang. My aunt came with some sweets and after sometime one of my uncle came with a gift. At that time there was no mobile, internet, facebook and even landline phone was rare. They remembered by birthday and I was so happy and glad that they came. That's what called family and good relatives who stand by through thick and thin of life.
When I got my job I use to give a small tea party at office and in the evening I celebrate with my family, close relatives and neighbours.
I was too shy to cut cake but my nieces would never leave me.
Interestingly my mother birthday falls on the same date, 1st August.
