Impromptu Celebration

The Big BIG LAAF Birthday Bash

It takes more than blind courage to brave an early morning thundershower – and the treacherous traffic, puddles and potholes -- just to be present for a birthday bash in the Garden. And yet it was this ceaseless downpour that made a captive audience of the 35-odd members and guests who had gathered in the China Hut today for what was to be a memorable, impromptu celebration.
They were all there – from Yusuf Rassiwala to Santosh Tyagi to Swati Panjabi, Harish Wadhwa, Mumtaz Jahan, Rakhi Bansi, Vandana Kankanwar and many others who had become scarce for some time. More significantly, Kajal Babani was also there, nursing an eye infection.
While the spotlight had to be on the birthday boy, it was Bijoy Gupta who stole the show with a couple of hilarious capers (spoofing Bose Babu) that brought the roof down.

With love from Yusuf Rassiwala (l)

Birthday bite from Bhaswati Bose

Shekhawat followed in like vein with a typically tuneless ‘Pallo Latke’ number till Siba Prasad Maitra and Harish Wadhwa brought about a measure of sobriety with that classic monsoon duet, ‘Rim Jhim Gire Saawan”, sung to perfection.
Maitra continued with a Bengali song, ‘Mone Pode Ruby Rai’, thereby prompting Mumtaz Jahan to come up with ‘Sajna Hai Mujhe, Sajna ke Liye’ and then, Razia Khan taking over with ‘Abhi Na Jao Chhodke, Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin’.

Siba Prasad Maitra and Harish Wadhwa regale

A priceless memento from Bihari Milwani (r)

And so continued a scintillating morning full of music and laughter – completely unrehearsed, unscripted and unplanned.
But the highlight, as always, had to be Bihari Milwani’s table calendar – a priceless, one-of-its-kind gift everyone looks forward to on his/her birthday. We all take Bihari’s prodigious memory (at remembering dates) for granted, but do not realize what it takes to invest so much of personal attention in designing and crafting such beautiful mementos without ever repeating himself.

Razia Khan pitches in with a nostalgic number

Today’s calendar had these beautiful lines: “We wish a wish for you/ The wish we wish for you/ Is the wish we wish for few/ The wish we wish for you/ Is that all your wishes come true…” That was not all. Harish, whose birthday had just gone by (on September 13), also got lucky with a table calendar specially made for him by Bihari!
Lastly (but not leastly), who could have forgotten Banoo Apa's magical chai? We were having it on a rain soaked morning and that too, after ages. If truth be told, most of us had landed up today, not so much for the eats but for Banoo Apa's legendary tea -- hot, refreshing and supremely divine.

Bihari Milwani:
Today’s mammoth attendance demonstrates the love of the Big Laaf family members. Notwithstanding all odds and hiccups, they came to greet and wish the Blog Monster. It rained heavily because the Almighty wanted to wash away Blog Monster's sins with his own hands before the birthday celebration began.

Kiran Prakash:
It was a 'master celebration' and as rightly mentioned, 'impromptu'. It spoke of the incomparable love and respect our Bose Babu has earned from every member of the club. Many happy returns of the day dear Bose Babu. May God shower His choicest blessings and you continue to be in the best of health and spirits.

Dilip Babani:
Happy Birthday, dear Bose-ji. May God bless you. It was a very nice party and all were happy. Banoo Apa had brought very nice tea for everybody. We all enjoyed. The songs by Gupta-ji, Maitra-ji and Razia-ji were very nice. So was the dance of Shekhawat-ji and Fahmida-ji. All were very, very happy.

Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
Birthday is to be celebrated with gusto and everyone is aware of this important date, especially when it pertains to our spirited Bose Babu. It is thrilling to know that there were impromptu songs and enjoyable celebrations. Mr Bihari, our famous Accountant General, is very prompt and fastidious in producing fantastic calendars on such occasions. All these calendars are good mementos to be preserved - at least, I am doing so. Thanks Bihari-ji, for your efforts. Happy Birthday Bose Babu and wishing you a very happy and healthy inning ahead.

Geeta Latte:
Many, many, many happy returns of the day. Aap hamesha healthy life iio🎂💐🎂 Aaj ki party bahut achchi thi aur yaadgar bhi👌👌

Karun Sharma:
Oh God, this was not expected. I was at home and wanted to attend this birthday of my dear and special friend. Happy Birthday Derek. You are too good and I wish you all the good things in life.

Razia Khan (on WhatsApp):
Happy Birthday Mr Bose. May Almighty Allah shower His blessings and keep you healthy and happy always. May He also fulfill all your wishes. Thanks a lot for the lovely party. We enjoyed a lot . Thanks, once again. 💐💐💐🙏 🙏 🙏 🎂🎂🎂🎉🎉🎉

Blog Monster: Thank you everybody -- undeserving as I am of all your kindness and love. I shall cherish your sentiments forever.