Before I begin with my wishlist, I would like to recollect this small incident in life which I will term as THE TURNING POINT.

The Turning point.

My Bdays (like everybody’s) has always been full of surprises, fun and frolic. Every year, the day had always begun with some sweet surprise, be it from family or friends,with gifts ranging from simple key chains, colourful shirts, cute memorabilias to costly mobile phones. Thanks to everyone who had taken pains to make the day memorable.I still treasure them all. Thanks again.

Everything till then had been purely materialistic, satisfying my need for the day. I was happy with that and life went on the same for 19 yrs, until I got a very surprising gift last year from this good friend of mine named Ramesh.(There is more about this wonderful guy which I will reserve for future posts) Yes, his gift was late (about 2 full months after my Bday) but, it was wonderfully timed. It was immediately after a “costly” lunch a group of friends had with another good friend of mine for his Bday.

Ramesh took us to an orphanage.

Thanks for that gift, buddy.

Well, people do donate money for really worthwhile social causes on memorable occasions such as B’days and anniversaries. And hats off to them. This gift was more or less the same. But the stark contrast between having had fun on a costly treat and the fun these little orphaned children had when they recieved chocolates was simply moving.

The lesson was learnt. We dont hesitate to spend hundreds and thousands on treats just to make friends happy. But, there is nothing like a smile from a child(who has no one to call as his relative in this earth) when he receives a simple chocolate. That smile is the greatest gift of all. That is the only gift I am looking for this year.

So begins my ‘chota’ Wishlist for my Bday.

I will be a bit more frank from here on. I have had a lot of shirts, perfumes, show-case pieces etc as my Bday gifts. And more of these will not help me a lot now  Simply because I am not going to be in this city for long and I will not be able to enjoy or appreciate them. Moreover, It might not be possible for me to take them along with me when I leave. Afterall, gifts are meant for Bday baby rite?

Here goes my request.

For those of you who are planning to gift me this year (even if it is for formality sake),I am giving you ‘the’ idea for gift and I hope it solves the confusion in you. I would appreciate if you can put the money you are planning to spend on me on an envelope and give it to me. I intend to donate this to a needy orphanage. I would be happy even if it is 1 Rupee because, that money is used for a good cause. This request is purely at your will and I am not persuading.

Hope I got the point across. Thanks in advance. Do mail me if needed.

Cheers Have fun.

RNB