birthdays and more

Yesterday I watched a Marathi serial where children give a surprise birthday party to the mother on her 65th birthday. She is woken up from her sleep; the cake is cut, songs are sung and a garland made of as many chocolates as her age is presented to her.

A few days back a friend of mine was peeved because she had just fallen asleep and was woken up by her enthusiastic family. She expressed happiness that they had taken the trouble but in truth she was upset as she couldn't go back to sleep after that and sleep is precious for the elderly.

Surprise parties and celebrations are a trend amongst the millennials.

This is a western tradition unnecessarily adopted in the last forty odd years promoted by movies and television and is followed blindly by people across India.

Our day is from sunrise to sunset.. So the birthday should be celebrated during daytime before the sun sets. Darkness is considered inauspicious for celebrations. This should be kept in mind especially when it comes to senior citizens!

I had heard this in one of the talks of Mahaperiyava of Kanchi. It is a good idea to let it be known to our children.

Today the old lady in the Marathi serial got admitted to hospital. No wonder.