read about kailash's bday blast... and my heart twitched.. brought back old memories.. I think Kailash's was the only birthday that was celeberated in Dharchula/Darchula when we were growing up... kailash was a celeberity in his own right and I was among the few previleged ones that got to attend his bdays year after year.. at times we would wonder if they could have the party atleast more than once a year.. I dont think we knew what bdays meant or why they were celeberated.. all we were interested in the delicacies kailash's mom would cook.. and yes the cake most of all.. even though most of the time they would be make shift cakes made with halwa(suji), etc.. but it was heaven for us.. as for me celebrating my own bdays.. i really never cared about it.. but i do still remember one funny little incident when i was in nainital staying in a private hostel.. we used to call her rana aunty.. i dont know for some unknown reasons my fufus and didis have been celeberating my bdays on 15th of august(not that its the correct date).. but anyways.. being a holiday we were all at the hostel and after lunch we were required to take a nap... but all of a sudden my fufus(bindu and chanda and couple of their friends) showed up.. they used to attend dsb college (kumaon univ) in nainital.. they wanted to take us (kavita di and myself) to town to celebrate my bday(well that was the plan).. they wanted to keep it a secret from me but rana aunty being rana aunty wouldnt allow me to go out that particular day.. and after much coaxing and cajoling she finally agreed only after she was told about the plans but then the cat was already out of the bag... whew.. i almost missed my own bday party.. imagine that.. and man.. it was some party... i think i still have some of those pics.. it was the only bday party i ever had untill last year before last finally here in states.. well it had become more of a tradition in birmingham to take everyone out on dinner on bdays... i think it is more of an excuse to get out of the daily monotonous routine.. but whatever it is.. it sure is fun.. thats the bottom line... bdays rock...