When Nimeshbhai and I went out yesterday to buy decorations for a birthday party he was throwing for Vir (Kamlaben's son), we could not find a single birthday candle in the shape of a "1". We found plenty, though, in the shape of "0".
In addition to decorations, noisemakers, and birthday hats, Nimeshbhai went all out for the little one's big day. He ordered pav bhaji, a spicy Indian fast food-type item, and cake for more than 30 people. We went early to decorate the area around Kamlaben and Kamleshbhai's home. Within a few minutes of blowing up balloons and unrolling streamers, 15 or so kids from the slum joined in to help.
We hung balloons from the low hanging branches of the trees around the home, and wrapped the clotheslines (still adorned with clean laundry) with crepe paper. By the time we were done, the colorful and glittering toran, or decorations, tricked the eye into thinking we weren't standing in a slum.
Vir watched as this all went on, unaware that all this celebration was for him, but giggling as always as he was showered with attention.
When the time came to light the cake, I went forward to arrange the candles. As I was about to strike the match, several voices protested. Nimeshbhai and the other Manav Sadhna family who were attending, explained to me that they have a different tradition: instead of blowing them out, the birthday boy lights a candle.
"We want his new year to be filled with light," explained Jayeshbhai, "not darkness."
In addition to decorations, noisemakers, and birthday hats, Nimeshbhai went all out for the little one's big day. He ordered pav bhaji, a spicy Indian fast food-type item, and cake for more than 30 people. We went early to decorate the area around Kamlaben and Kamleshbhai's home. Within a few minutes of blowing up balloons and unrolling streamers, 15 or so kids from the slum joined in to help.
We hung balloons from the low hanging branches of the trees around the home, and wrapped the clotheslines (still adorned with clean laundry) with crepe paper. By the time we were done, the colorful and glittering toran, or decorations, tricked the eye into thinking we weren't standing in a slum.
Vir watched as this all went on, unaware that all this celebration was for him, but giggling as always as he was showered with attention.
When the time came to light the cake, I went forward to arrange the candles. As I was about to strike the match, several voices protested. Nimeshbhai and the other Manav Sadhna family who were attending, explained to me that they have a different tradition: instead of blowing them out, the birthday boy lights a candle.
"We want his new year to be filled with light," explained Jayeshbhai, "not darkness."
No comments:
Post a Comment