Two Double Celebrations

Barfis from Khatoon Baig...

...and Siddhivinayak prasad from Sitaram Hivarkar

Khatoon Baig waited eight days to celebrate her birthday. And for all good reasons. There was to be a new member arriving in her family. And now, with son Naved blessed with a baby boy, Khatoon has realized her long-cherished desire of turning grandmother.
“I am really very happy,” the ecstatic lady said time and again as she distributed barfis to celebrate the occasion. “Everyone from my time had become grandma and I was feeling somewhat left out. Now I have no reason to feel deprived.”
Khatoon informed that the family had already found a name for the baby. “We shall call him Roohan,” she declared with visible pride. “He looks so much like my son. All those who have seen him are saying that he has taken on from his father.”
If Khatoon was making a double celebration of birthdays, Sitaram Hivarkar was not far behind, literally. He came in with a box of luddoos – blessed by Lord Ganapati at Siddhivinayak Temple – to celebrate not only his, but granddaughter Anaya’s birthday which coincided yesterday (see post). Dressed stylishly in the blue Club cap, white T-shirt, checked capris with sneakers and his soldier-like socks pulled up to knee, the birthday boy looked unusually young and dashing for his age.
Little wonder, everybody insisted that he step in the middle to conduct the free-hand exercises today. And the way Sitaram went about it, the Geetanjali Express (to quote Ramila Mistry) would be put to shame. With extra zest and relish, he rushed us through in double quick time with a clear ten minutes to spare in the end. After all, that’s what the spirit of youth is all about.
Once again, we wish Sitaram and Anaya the very best on their birthday. And of course, our heartiest congratulations go to Naved and his charming wife -- not to forget, the world's blessings be showered on little Roohan.
Harish Wadhwa:
* I too had a double dose of luddoos. I got one from Kajal Babani-ji, who parted with her share while I was on my way to the Garden. The second one came from Sitaram-ji himself. May you all keep healthy and keep treating me to such luddoos year after year. Happy Birthday once again.
* A special greeting to Khatoon-ji for becoming a grand mother and thanks for the sweets. But you know, this elevation of status comes with the responsibility of changing nappies, late night outs and baby sittings! So get ready for more work with pleasure (LOL)!
* Happy Birthday to dear Anaya too and a lot of blessings to Naved-miyan and his wife, for becoming proud parents.