Jyoti's 50th Birthday Coffetable Book

JyotiHappy 50th

the more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate...

Dearest Jyoti, To commemorate this wonderful milestone, here is a gift forever! All our love, – Sucheta & Meeta



1

oDr+ dk [kkl gksuk Tk+ :jh ugha [kkl ds fy;s oDr+ gksuk T+k:jh gS 2

ykyh & rqEgkjk uke ftruk lqanj gS] rqe mruh gh vPNh] cqf)eku vkSj le>nkj gksA rqEgkjh ç'kalk esa ftrus Hkh 'kCn dgsa] og de gSaA oSls rks lHkh cPps vius ekrk&firk ds fy, fç; gksrs gS] ij esjs thou esa rqe cgqr vf/kd egRo j[krh gksA bZ'oj ls geus igyh larku ,d yM+dh ek¡xh Fkh tks flQZ iw.kZ ugha gqbZ ijarq gesa rqe esa ,d yM+dk Hkh feyk ftlds lq>ko vkSj LkiksVZ cgqr egRoiw.kZ lkfcr gq,A vius ifjokj ;k cguksa ds fy, tks Hkh dk;Z fd, gSa ;k dj jgha gks og cgqr gh ç'kaluh; gSaA iRuh vkSj ek¡ ds mÙkjnkf;Ro [kwc le>rh gks vkSj mlh rjg fuHkk jgh gksA esjh bZ'oj ls çkFkZuk gSa dh rqe [kq'k vkSj LoLFk jgksA ,d Qwy dh Hkk¡fr f[kyrh jgksA esjh 'kqHkdkeuk,¡ vkSj vk'khZokn lnSo rqEgkjs lkFk gSA & dqanu 3

Lali you are such a beautiful, intelligent and a responsible girl. I am very happy and proud of the way you are moving ahead. God Bless You! csVh ds fj'rs dks rqeus cgqr lqUnj <ax ls fuHkk;kA cguksa ds fj'rs esa rqe vfr lQy jgh gksA pkgr o ifjJe ls rqeus viuh f'k{kk o gj eafty dks ik;kA fdlh Hkh fj'rs ds :i dks viuk drZO; le>kA LoHkko ls ges'kk lsok Hkko jgkA mlds ckn iRuh] fQj ek¡ dk fj'rk Hkh cgrq vnH~ krq o I;kj Hkjk fuHkk jgh gkAs rqEgsa ns[k eSa vius eu esa nqvk ns jgh gw¡] vxys ipkl lky Hkh blh rjg [kq'k jgks] LoLFk jgks o vius drZO; dks fuHkkus esa lQy jgksA csVk rqe tks pkgks og gj bPNk iwjh gks] bZ'oj rqedks gj [kq'kh nsA cgqr lkjk I;kj & deyk 4

5

mez dgrh gS] vc lathnk gqvk tk;s--- fny dgrk gS] dqN uknkfu;k¡ vkSj lgh! 6

7

8

Dearest Jyoti It’s a monumental task to write something about you and wonder where to start and what to write for a gem that fell in my lap. Attributes to consider are far too many...... I still remember the day I saw you in Manipal on a motorbike with a friend of yours in that green top and beige skirt. You looked like an angel with wings ready to fly. That was 1988. I would, on occasions see you with your friends in the college library chatting away. I remember you being warned that the college president (me) won’t tolerate the nuisance of disrupting the library decorum!! You had the attitude of a rebel and have an uncanny ability to make anyone who comes in contact with you to be your own. You were and still are that infectious. We became friends and I first realised your business and negotiating skills at the summer fest of 1989 which my council had organised. You had come to us and wanted a stall to sell mangos which your father would send for you and your friends. You negotiated the prime stall at a discounted price and I think if I remember correctly, you had promised that we could come and taste those mangos. Little did we realise that we will encounter a hard-nosed business women as we had to pay for those mangos. And that skill of hard negotiation has not faded one bit. You would go to the end of the world for a cheaper price for a product, not because you can’t afford it but your ability of due diligence is exceptional and the satisfaction of having done your best and not been taken for a ride. A Business mind to the core... Talking of the ride reminds me of one particular time when you drove my Maruti 800 (TAU2266) and I thought the end is near! The car was tested at full throttle. You not only tested the reliance of the car but also my capacity to endure which made my every sphincter go into a spasm for the fear of death. I have never been constipated since!!!! If a brick can pass and I am alive... rest is cakewalk. You were and still are fearless! 9

When I was in Mangalore, you and Preeti Chaudhary came to visit me without any warning from Manipal and I saw you sitting on the bonnet of my car waiting at Wenlock Hospital. Then you came to my rented accommodation and looking at the state, without saying a word you took me shopping and made me spend money on proper towels, toiletries, linen etc. I have become a shade better now and that’s because of you. Your sense of adventure is not my cup of tea, i.e. reaching the airport at the last minute or for that matter catching a train.....whilst you don’t miss a beat, but it leaves me with atrial fibrillation for a long period of time. As children say, JST: Jyoti Standard Time. What can I say for your love for family, extended family and friends? You embrace their every obstacle as your own and lend a helping hand which feels so secure that one relinquishes their worries to you to sort them out. And you do that with ease, no matter how difficult the journey may be for you. The journey which you took for Preeti, holding her hand from the day her illness was diagnosed till the unfortunate time is something to be treasured by me. You were truly awe inspiring and I say so because I’ve seen one too many getting tired in this arduous journey. But you were fresh as a daisy, not only for Preeti’s sake but for Maa, Baba and Meeta too. I maybe quietly confident but your confidence in dealing with things is at another level, be it work, getting Maa-Baba's house done whilst sitting here and visualising 10

details and directing the workforce in India. Or for that matter in Stack Polly – since we decided on the house extension - every little thing right from the brick work to the final product has your stamp all over it. Your journey was arduous but you have gone to every possible avenue exploring, researching endless hours on the net, physically visiting various shops, your drive for perfection is at another level. Or for that matter jumping in the pond with girls and cleaning it. No work is too small or roo big for you. Your ability to go to the end of earth in search of what you want is the definition of perseverance and tenacity. You thrive on challenges and how you find new ways to keep nourishing your mind, body and soul is a beautiful gift from God to you. When Rati and Manju were away, we had the most delicious food which you made every day. All of it was top drawer stuff! How you do it is simply amazing. Never shy to speak up your mind. Whilst you infuse so many colours in so many peoples life and inject palpable vibrancy, you also have an ability to say things as though they are in mono chrome. That’s something very rare these days and takes courage. People who know you well will see through this and your well-meaning opinion. All along, you’ve chosen the path less travelled and embraced the challenges with it. Over the years, you’ve mellowed down for various reasons but given the slightest opportunity to fly... somehow the wind will start blowing in your favour and you will soar. As a lioness that’ll make her cubs roam with freedom and explore while keeping a sharp eagle eye on them ... Samya, Piya and Siya are lucky to have you. 11

I’ll never forget that whilst I grew up in the lap of Shakti Maharaj (Monastic Head) of Rama Krishna Mission, I always thought I was his favourite child. But how quickly he switched sides for you still amazes me. When I was working before you came to RKMS, Shakti Maharaj would leave food for me in the monastery where women were not allowed but he not only allowed you there.... he would wait for you and me and see to it that you had eaten food. Whilst my doctor’s quarter would freeze, he made sure that you had not one but two heaters and a rug for your feet to be kept warm. A man who is living dead in monastic terms by having done his shradh, even he considered you as his child. That’s your ability to make people your own. You are a river which came down roaring from the mountains, making your own path, wild and breaking banks in your teens, serene and wise in twenties/thirties. No dams could hold you and when full, I’ve seen you overcome them. You have to nourish many more lives before you meet the sea. I truly hope and pray that meeting with sea is long long away. For me, you will remain as the closest friend ever and the journey so far has been prodigious! In a nut shell: You are a women of substance and are bloody awesome! With lots of love and admiration – Shopon 12

13

14

15

Dearest Lali, I just could not be luckier or lets just say, I must have been one hell of a person in my previous life, to be born in the same family as you and Preeti. From the moments, we’ve cried together, to all our laughter... to the times you have dug me out of the deepest of holes. No matter what the world threw at both of us (Preeti and I) we knew that you always had our back. Sisters are best friends – it’s a phrase that fits perfectly for us. All my life I have never needed another friend because of Preeti and you. Although I am talkative, but I never could express my love for either of you or to tell you how awesome you girls are.The first time I feared losing you was when you were taking your first international flight to Hongkong and then again when you left for Manipal. We have always taken you for granted… and perhaps still do. You were the responsible one, I was the boy of the family who only wanted to play till the sun went down and Preeti was the precious one. Actually, in the first part of our life,we had the best family holidays …… from you and I competing in Dad’s challenge of who would eat the maximum number of paranthas in the palace at Chail or us pretending & modelling as Persis Khambatta… or driving through the entire South of India -having filter coffee and Dosa at 5 am most mornings. The fact that our sizes were similar… We had the best time sharing clothes… but I hated how you emotionally blackmailed me for shoes …… knowing my shoes would become loose after just one wear. 16

Food was important to me at that time, still more often than not, you girls would eat most of it during our late nights …… I vividly remember how you took my plate of bhindi & rice at 2 am just for one bite. ……And I hardly got any, ....that too after making me run behind you….. The school rides were epic with Preeti delaying us for school daily and you signing our late remarks despite yourself being one..… the afternoon ride with the Jaljeera stops…. Then our instant fame in the senior school-all thanks to you…..My first school trip to Goa with you - Preeti felt so left out …..Cheers to those legendary moments. In the second phase, you left for Manipal and it hit me hard, as that meant taking my own decisions……. and the fact that now I was the older one at home... meant a comparison, which I hated, as it was not easy to fill in your shoes. However, I loved the trips to Manipal especially the bike rides, food and the fun with your friends. I guess I enjoyed being a hosteller, or perhaps the fact we were living together. 17

18

The third phase – I don’t think there would be any other sister in the entire world who would do what you did for both Preeti and me. Your moving from Delhi to Dubai to Australia, just to make sure Preeti was comfortable and happy... then again, in the end taking care of her for 2 years compromising your own life…. Lali, Preeti was very happy and peaceful knowing she was under your supervision, you gave her the dignity she deserved at that stage of her life and the best memories she could take along. The juggle you had to do between her and me in 2012 ……I am confident no sibling would have ever attempted that or ever will. Preeti brought a different level of spirituality and calmness in your life and... for you to follow through with it is the biggest tribute to her. She must always be looking at you fondly for so so many reasons and today thanking you for being the best sister. Lali, Its not like, you and I didn’t have differences of opinion,.…. but that never stopped you from being my role model …… you are brilliant and a perfect example of an older sister. To the Queen of all sisters, Happy 50th! Much Love – Meeta 19

20

My dearest Lali So you are 50!! From where I see, you look just as amazing and young as I saw you the last time. Lali, do you know that we all are given this powerful tool called Choice and the implications of making them influencing the outcome…..? I am so glad that I was not given the choice but was chosen to be your and Meeta’s little sister. I wish I had listened to you guys each time you wanted me to think before I took certain decisions of my life…..Not to repeat the same mistakes, learn from others and always listen to Meeta. You were there when I needed you and funnily at times you were there even before I realised that I needed you. How did you do that? You took away all my pain and anguish throughout my illness. In that pitch dark journey of mine you were there with one hand holding my hand and in the other bearing a torch-shinning it at every possible avenue to find a path for us to come out of the tunnel. I always believed that you could achieve anything in life you set your mind on and as I see you’ve grown a lot since we last spoke….keep at it my dear Lali. Life is a beautiful gift and you are doing a wonderful job. Thank you for holding me together, through it all. For being my guardian angel -MY BEST FRIEND. So much love – Preeti 21

22

Dear Mummy Happy birthday! Even though you haven’t yet got me a turtle, you're still the best mum ever. I hope you get everything you want and that this year you enjoy life to the fullest as i know you always do. You have done more for me, Piya and Siya and Daddy than anyone could ever have asked for or expected. You have brought a certain joy to our house and you always brighten the day, I’d like to thank you for the long hours of work and incomparable effort that you put into building the new extension. You never fail to surprise us with your new recipes and ideas to cook or bake, and amaze us all with your skill in the kitchen. I would want that you never lose the hope and joy you have as it is truly inspiring. I think I can speak for Siya,Piya and myself when I say that you set an incredible example for what a strong, successful woman should look like and that personally I aspire to be more like you and would want that when I’m older I become more like you. Happy 50th Birthday Lots of love! – Samya (Best child) 23

Dear Mama, You're such a good mum - the best one a child could ask for! You're so kind and caring and always there to help us three. You always put your best effort in everything you do and make it the best. We all appreciate the amount of effort you've put in for our house and extension. You're lots of fun to be around we all love that about you. I must say you've raised three amazing kids who all love you a lot. I hope you have a really good 50th Birthday! – Piya 24

Hi Mother, This is a message from your favourite child. You are really nice and funny .It’s really funny when we start poking you and then you jump which makes us jump and then we all start laughing. You are the best mother that I could ever ask for and I think that you are THE most loving and caring person ever. Thank you for being there for Samya, Piya and me. We’ve made many memories and I am positive that we’ll make many more. I remember the time when Piya was going crazy and then Papa was like really fed up and then you would be so calm about it and it was just your reaction that would make me laugh because then Piya would think that it’s not annoying because you would be so calm and then she would just do it again. I am still not over Samya’s fish joke! She was all happy about it and you were just standing there smiling and that would make everyone else smile :) Thank you. It’s always fun being with you and the others and I hope you have a wonderful 50th birthday! – Siya 25

Dear Masi, Congrats on turning 50 and more importantly congrats for achieving all you have so far. Over the years, some of my greatest memories have been made with you, from traditions to travelling the world. Thank you for sticking by me throughout, and thinking about my betterment and future alongside your busy schedules. Thank you for the times you’ve agreed with my point of view instead of mom’s, which till date is the best possible feeling anyone can ever have (esp me). Thank you for being the bravest in the toughest of situations, the one with the solutions to all problems, thank you for carrying a smile through the brightest and darkest of times, this will take time, so I’m going to pause the thank you’s - hopefully you get the point. Oh and one more thing... Thank you for being the most organised person I know, without you, our family would probably spend our entire holidays wandering off, and doing everything but what we signed up for. (PS: kinda really true). Thanks for being the best Masi anyone could possibly ask for. Here’s to 50, and 50 more! With Love from 'your personal favourite'! – Nitsia 26

Dear Lali Masi, Happy Birthday! Congrats on turning 50! I’m a Visualizer. I see great things ahead of you. You’re turning wiser every single day. I love you!!! You have wonderful things in your life such as your Family, Husband, 3 Children, best of all ME but most importantly your wonderful heart. You care for everyone, you share with everyone. And sometimes you keep taking care of me and the others that you forget about taking care of yourself. There are many things that I love about you, like how you take care of a problem.You are also the fun Masi that I KNOW. Sometimes in school we have discussions on our family, when they talk about their Masi's I don’t, cause if I tell Everybody about you they will just get jealous about me having the best Masi in the world. I also want to say thank you for all the nice things you’ve done for me in my life. Our US trip, the cruise and the holidays in UK are the best. Anyway I just wanna tell you that: Roses are red Violets are blue There’s no other Masi who’s better than you! For the last time Happy Birthday Lali Masi! Hope you have a good one. Love from 'The Little One'! – Nyssa 27

Dearest Lali, I want to begin by wishing you a very special 50th Birthday. I would like to start by reminiscing...thoughts of 45 years of knowing each other. Growing up in the same house are the memories I will cherish forever. We went to the same school, four of us tucked in the rickshaw drinking jaljeera every single day on the way back home. How we would wait for the summer vacations to start and the all the cousins would fit in the small dinky car and go for a swim. Roshanara club memories are tucked away as the fondest memories as it was the time we all would forget everything and jump in the water, snatch each other's cheese balls. You were the first one to leave the nest to become a doctor. You did become a role model for all of us back home. Also, you set the bar very high with your commitment and dedication to Preeti. Believe me, not everyone has the capacity to do what you did for her, I'm really proud of you. Today, is a good day to also confess to you that I have always admired you for raising Samya, Siya and Piya so well and it makes me extremely happy to see Navya sharing such a special bond with them. Lali there have been lots of ups and downs in life, I wish we continue to sail through those smoothly and be by each others side through thick and thin. You have been the person one always looked up to and went to for wise advice. Always keep in mind that I treasure you. Have a very happy birthday! My life has been complete because of the presence of people like you who are always there for me, in sorrow and in joy. You are very special, and I wish you a lovely birthday! – Gitika 28

Dearest Lali Masi, Wishing you a very happy 50th birthday. Hope you have a great day with Samya, Piya, Siya and Uncle Shopon. I want to thank you for making our trips to UK very exciting. I look forward to spending time with you. I really had a good time when we went to play golf and watched Aladdin. Thank you Masi for always taking care of me and my health. I miss you Masi, and can't wait to give you a big hug and meet you for the first time in 2020. Once again a very happy birthday. God bless you. – Navya 29

Jyoti – Birthday Greetings Meri Pachaas Saal Ki Chhoti Si Lali, Well, for me you will always be young. You have lived your life on your own terms and fulfilled all your dreams! You are a born leader and years have only enhanced your leadership abilities. I am sure people around can second that!! I really don’t know when the Jyoti in your heart came to life; did you live up to the name or did the name live up to you? Whatever it might be, you chose a career path that lit up many other lives. Your compassion and care reduced the suffering of others and they could gather the courage to endure. A philosopher said - \"A smile is the cause for victory\". As I write this memoir, your radiant and smiling face flashes before my eyes. As you celebrate 50 eventful years on Earth, may this smile always remain with you and become the cause of happiness in your life. May all the goodness that you have spread come back into your life as inexhaustible good fortune HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY – Sudesh and Duru Sachdev 30

Jyoti, fondly named LALI by the family means darling child, because she was born after a long time and after many male children in the family. She was a special child who grew up as an affectionate, caring, and responsible young lady. She excelled in studies and went on to become an able doctor. I am happy that in the process of her growing up, she became attached to me and I was also able to contribute something in her development as an able person. Now all of sudden you realize that the small child has grown up to be a 50 year old women, who is the wife of a very successful surgeon and mother of 3 beautiful daughters. Needless to say, she is a very responsible, caring and loving wife, besides being a very caring daughter to her parents. God bless her. – Suresh Sachdev 31

Papa's Son A FRAGILE NOSE with IMMENSE INNER POWER A Life CSoAeamlcfh-aSzpinirgitlyed A day brightener and a heart warmer – Rajesh Sachdev 32

Jyoti mean \"Divine Light\" and your personality justifies your name. We have all met strong women before. We know the type with confidence and zest for life that light up any room you enter. Competitive men simply don’t know how to act when they’re in the presence of such women like yourself(just a joke!) You know exactly what you want in life and how you are going to get there, if something comes up that you don’t agree with, you won’t hesitate to express yourself and let your feelings out. You are mentally tough, you have been through a lot in life and it’s only made you stronger. You will deal with failure and tricky situations in the same way you always has: with grit, determination and willingness to learn. You stick to what you know : the truth. You are straight forward, express what’s on your mind and what you need. This is life and you always want to enjoy it, You believe that the present moment is where the future is created. You work hard and stick to your priorities and goals. You respect yourself and treat others with kindness and respect. You are clean hearted, generous and a wonderful younger sister. You plan pockets of enjoyment for your family and are always available for them in any circumstances which you believe is essential for family wellbeing. You have a natural ability to keep up relationships with everyone and you have true compassion to help them as well. You are more beautiful inside than out. Wishing you an extra special Birthday and Best wishes for the year ahead Lots of love – Sarla and Ashok 33

50 the ultimate F. word. You know 50 has arrived when happy hour is a nap!! At 50 people are HOT!! But mostly in flashes!! But you clearly are an exception, You look HOT with a rocking attitude to complement it, and you still are raising a glass at the happy hour!! I hope you party hard for the next half century till you are toothless and ruthless. As we all celebrate you on your special day, we all want to wish you the best of everything always. Lots of love and hugs from all of us. – Sachin, Pumpy and Suhani Fantastic 50...What an innings it has been!!! Jyoti as the name suggests, has a fire burning in her to excel in every field of life. She is perfection personified. I still remember her first car accident, the swimming class at the club to her being a doctor in Manipal and then being a Godmother at Nandini's birth... you have been a fabulous sister all along. – Dimmy 34

Dear Jyoti, Even though we live miles apart you are very special to all of us. A warm understanding sister-in-law a wonderful mother....... a truly amazing person. – Didi 35

Happy 50th Birthday To a Sister Just Like You I just want you to know You mean the world to me Only a heart as dear as yours Would give so unselfishly The many things you've done All the times that you were there Helps me know deep down inside How much you really care Even though I might not say I appreciate all you do Richly blessed is how I feel Having a sister just like you. – Geetu Tum jeeyo hazaaron saal saal ki din hon pachas hazaar happy birthday to you. God bless you with lots of love and success in the years ahead. With Love – Naresh Jotwani & Baby Lali is a beautiful and a caring person. She’s a responsible wife and a mother. Her passion for medicine was visible from childhood and it gives me immense pleasure to see her do it so well. God Bless her! Happy Birthday! – Kavita 36

eSa HkkHkh dks brus Vkbe ls tkurh gw¡A esjs dks mudk cgqr I;kj vkSj ?kj esa lcls lEeku feyrk gSA ;s esjk viuk ?kj gSA dHkh Hkh t+:jr gksus ls] HkkHkh fcuk dksbZ loky fd, enn djrh gSaA HkkHkh tSlk nwljk eSaus ugha ns[kkA vkidk tUe fnu cgqr vPNk gks!! 'kqHkdkeuk,¡ & eatq ljdkj tc eSa 12 lky dk Fkk rc ls MkWDVj dks tkurk gw¡A fny dh lkQ gSaA gj fdlh dh enn djrh gSaA esjs ?kj ifjokj dks viuk le>rh gSa vkSj dHkh Hkh esjs ifjokj dks tc Hkh dksbZ eqlhcr gqbZ rks mUgksaus fcuk fdlh f>td ds lgk;rk dhA M‚DVj ds fy, dksbZ Hkh dke cM+k ugha gSA tc eSa chekj gqvk rc vius gkFk ls [kkuk cuk ds f[kyk;kA ejs h ge's kk ;gh nvq k gS dh gekjh M‚DVj vPNh vkjS LoLFk jgAas & jfr jke 37

38

39

Family where Life begins and Love Never Ends 40

41

cosottggggksrS--h-rrHkks-h---r--kls nkfktsLr+'hk gS--- gksrh---!! 1990 Whaengshoouutldsoon(bpehtrw.) eItecnannemxtewaneeaknyatnimde5 years 1(0n.y)eFaereslsaglioke it was only ootOnneenenerhtemhuanoislduloisronaennddmseihnmasroiderediejssoekcersets Best Friend Best Friends(dne.)feRnodaysotuyobuehininydouyorufarcbeabckut 'dkkqN;nyoksxks fcuk yksx gfdh lnkhsLrfj'drgs ydksrfsj'grSa--s-!f!uHkkrs gSa--- 42

Jyoti and chai  Sleepy? Have tea...  Headache? Have tea...  Tired? Have tea...  Mood off? Have tea...  Feeling cold? Have tea...  Want a Samosa? Must have tea...  Late night study? Have tea...  Chilling after exams? have tea...  Not well? Have adrakh wali chai...  Guests? Make tea...  Waiting for train? Have tea...  Watching TV? Have tea...  Rainy Day: have tea... Tea is like opium.....!! 43

Dearest Jyoti, Together since we were giggling teenagers to still giggling middle aged ladies, we sure have come a long way. We were inseparable in school, with our non stop chatter, never ending gossip, our ‘Mills & Boon’ phase and just being in a world of our own. Outside school, our frequent trips to Archies & Giggles were so much fun. Browsing through cards was our favourite hobby, with you always eager to help me in selecting the best ones for Sidharth. 44

Those were the good, old, golden days and here we are, celebrating your golden birthday. But you my dear bestie, don’t look a day older than your teenage years. We tried to remain in touch even when you were away in Manipal through our favourite medium of cards. Your flying down specially to attend my wedding even though your exams were round the corner, meant a lot. With both of us getting busy in our respective lives, we were not in touch regularly but whenever we met, it was as if we started from where we had left, our bond only growing stronger with time. Then a few years back you planned a girl’s trip to Dubai. I was reluctant to go at first but you kept insisting and it turned out to be one of the best trips. We had so much fun and rekindled our bond with late night gossip over Gudiya’s green tea. Then again you took us on our spiritual journey to Isha yoga centre and I’ll be forever thankful to you for that. The year 2019 was so traumatic for me but you stood like a rock beside me. Even when you were not around in person, I could still feel your presence all the way, holding me, consoling me, comforting me, guiding me and just being there for me. ‘Thank you’ would be a very small word for all that you’ve done for me. You’re the one who made me laugh even when I thought I would never smile again... Love you my best friend!! Happy 50th birthday to the girl with a golden heart!! With love & hugs – Vibha 45

Dearest Jyoti Love you loads. Our friendship has been a constant, already for decades. Touchwood!! It’s still going strong. Right now my memory tank is overflowing with memories of the wonderful times spent with you. Your 50th birthday is the perfect time to relive some of the cherished moments again. I am amazed that we have entered the fiftyth decade of our lives. Years have passed by, but with you, I still feel young as if we were in our 20’s. I feel blessed to have someone as beautiful as you in my life with the passage of time share an even more special bond with you. I can never ever forget how we used to laugh without even exchanging a word, as if humor passed us by simply having a glance of each other. I want you to know that I truly appreciate how you always understand even my unspoken words! My soul sister!! I marvel at the similarity in our thoughts and taste. All the times spent with you...are very close to my heart. Our holidays together are my all time favourite, always leaving behind a longing for those sessions of roaring laughter and equally the experiences of exploring so many places together. I love the way we have grown up together upto this juncture today. I hope, I do not sound like a lover.... yet I unabashedly confess my affection for you. Thank you for always being you, Jyoti! 46