Solemn Birthday

Bijoy Gupta (c) flanked by well-wishers on his 75th birthday

This was one birthday not celebrated. Let alone a treat/ party to mark the occasion, we did not even raise the perfunctory fourth laugh after our exercises. However, the birthday calendar was presented in keeping with Big Laaf tradition.

Shekhawat (l) presents Gupta the birthday calendar

Banoo Apa (r) comforts the birthday boy

It was Bijoy Gupta’s 75th birthday – a watershed moment in life. By a cruel turn of fate, it had to come up when he was still mourning the passing of his only daughter. Dolly succumbed to a heart attack last month (ref post of March 19). She was only 36.
In a short but emotional homily, Banoo Apa commiserated with Gupta on behalf of the Club and drew upon experience when she had lost her son in equally tragic circumstances. “But we cannot hold on to our past forever,” she reminded Gupta. “We will have to live our life in the assurance that those who have left us are in the good care of the Almighty.”
She reassured Gupta that his daughter is in a better place today and that he had the love and blessings of everyone in the Club as he gets his life together. She also wished him the strength and fortitude to bear his loss as well as good health and everlasting happiness.

Karun Sharma:
Happy Birthday, Bijoy on reaching the 75th. You were born on the date the 'God of Cricket', Sachin Tendulkar was born. We all at Big Laaf wish you wonderful health and happiness. You are the 'God of Comedy' to us.