Birthday Surprise

Happy Birthday, PUSHPA GUPTA

The Government of India presented Pushpa Gupta with a rare birthday gift yesterday – a new passport.
It was only last week that Pushpa discovered the validity of her passport would lapse ahead of the Bangkok tour in November (ref post of July 26). Like anybody else, she presented herself at the passport office with an application for renewal along with supporting documents.

Bijoy and Pushpa Gupta

A kind soul there noted her birth date and apparently wanted to surprise her. Within 24 hours of applying, a new passport was in her hand. The best part was a noting on the acknowledgment slip of her

Fahmida Khan (l) presents the 'birthday calendar'

application: NO POLICE VERIFICATION REQUIRED!
Today morning we basked in the reflected glory of this charmed individual. We sang for her the birthday song and rejoiced by raising a fourth laugh after the exercises.
Fahmida Khan presented Pushpa with her birthday calendar on behalf of the Club while hubby Bijoy Gupta, who was in an unusually playful mood today, serenaded her with Yusuf Rassiwala, Shekhawat and a few other men joining in.
Pushpa had come suitably dressed for the occasion, looking gorgeous in crimson pajama-pants and a loose-fitted black shirt with floral prints.

Serenading the birthday girl

Shekhawat (r) cannot believe his eyes!

Clearly, a good deal of preparation had gone into the birthday bash. Except for cake slices and salted banana chips, all the stuff on offer today was home made. According to her husband, Pushpa had spent much of last night inside the kitchen, rustling up stuff such as poha and saboo-dana wada which taste best when served hot. “But I enjoy cooking,” she quipped, seeing how much everyone appreciated her culinary skills. Here’s wishing the birthday girl, once again, many happy returns of the day.

Friends and well-wishers gather around for a memorable photo-op

Dilip Babani:
Happy Birthday, Puspha-ji. Very nice party. Members were happy. All enjoyed the party. May God bless you. Mr Gupta was in a very good mood. His choice of song was very nice and he sang very nicely.

Geeta Latte:
Many, many happy returns of the day! 🎂💐🎂💝

Karun Sharma:
Happy Birthday, Pushpa-ji. May you smile always like a flower -- the real pushp.