Ageless Wonder

Birthday boy HARI SINGH SHEKHAWAT (centre, in white t-shirt)) flanked by well-wishers 

Hari Singh Shekhawat turned a year older today. Till yesterday, he was “ek-kum assi” -- one less of 80 years. Today, he declared he was “assi running” – running 80. That should pin his date of birth to April 27, 1938. But his service record (from Indian Navy) shows him a 1941-born. He explains he had deliberately reduced his age at the time of recruitment (as was the norm then) when it

Shekhawat receives birthday calendar from Rukhsana Khan

Distributing chocolates and biscuits

was common knowledge that he appeared on this planet three years earlier -- at the “time of the Big Drought”. Since that eventful day, there has never been any drought in his village!
Shekhawat may be 80 or whatever, but in heart and mind, is no more than 18 years. This became abundantly clear as he pranced about all morning, dancing and playing the fool like a teenager on steroids. He insisted that his birthday calendar be given to him by nobody but Rukhsana Khan.

Having a ball!  

Bijoy Gupta (r) breaks into a ditty

He went around distributing biscuits and chocolates followed by a lassi treat at the Gate. And when good friend Bijoy Gupta broke into a playful ditty, ‘Dil ko dekho, chehra na dekho...’, he went berserk – beyond control, jumping with joy.
Shekhawat had a blast – as indeed, every birthday boy ought to. The best compliment was to come from Siba Prasad Maitra: “We want such a celebration when you are 100!”
Shekhawat’s reply: “Hundred per cent!!!” He meant it.

Saluting Rukhsana Khan

A warm hug

Relaxing over lassi

Karun Sharma:
8 pictures on 80th birthday. It was a indeed a great day of happiness orchestrated brilliantly by 'Birthday Boy' Shekhawat himself.

Dilip Babani:
Happy Birthday, Shekhawat-ji.

Bihari Milwani:
How come Kadak Singh Jailer is celebrating his birthday in the Garden? He should be in jail with all the ladies over there!!!

Anonymous:
I hope Shekhawat did not understate his age to his in-laws at the time of his marriage.

Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
Happy birthday to Shekhawat. He is evergreen and smiling. I wish him a happy and healthy long life.