Happy birthday Harshal

Birthday boy Harshal with Rajesh, wife, and us. 

-Brian Mendonca

It was a rainy night and I did not think we would make it. What with a PPC meeting at 7 p.m. winding up at 8.30 p.m. - and me ironing my kurta at 9.

Still. A birthday is a birthday and 3rd birthday is not to be missed. So we went on GPS braving the rains, to Mapusa near the district hospital, near the court. 

The rain was coming down in buckets when we arrived. Rajesh, who had invited us, was thrilled to see us. He ushered Queenie and Dwayne into the house, and waited in the rain for me as I parked my car. 

Harshal tries out his wheels.

Inside, the house was packed with kids, family and friends. Time did not seem to matter. Children were lining up to be served food. 

The month of Shravan has started. Two kinds of pulaos were served, gobi Manchurian, sliced bread, khat khate, a curry of paneer, salad, and mirchi in batter. Dessert was fruit salad. 

'Ishwar' by Rajesh

Rajesh spoke about his interest in the work of Hindi writer Jaishree Roy Harmalkar. He also shared some of his published poems in Hindi. 

Before leaving Rajesh invited us to witness the giving of a special gift to the birthday boy. It was a huge red toy car with a remote control. Harshal's expression on his face when he saw the car was priceless. 

Dwayne (13) relived his days as a child. On the way back as we made our way home on the unlit  NH66, Dwayne asked, 'Dada why didn't you buy a car like that for me?'

The lines of Nida Fazli rendered in a ghazal by Ghulam Ali echoed in my mind:

Baccho ke nanhe haatho ko

Chand ko choone do. 

Chaar kitabe pad kar

Ye bhi hum jaise ho jayenge. 

Allow the tiny hands of the children

to touch the moon. 

Reading numerous books

They too will end up like us. 

A quick glance to the left on the ride home and I beheld the District Hospital all lit up at night. Several ambulances were lined up in front of the entrance. We were happy to be safe and blessed. 

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PPC: Parish Pastoral Council. Meetings are held once a month. 

Pic courtesy Rajesh. Updated 8/8/24.