A Polar Birthday

It dawned today as a pretty unexciting day. After celebrating innumerable birthdays, there was no charm in the day. The only thing different about my birthday today was that it coincided with Janamashtmi. There was supposed to be a party in the evening, which I find quite boring and uninteresting. But soon things took a 180º turn and the day turned out to be the most memorable one for me. Probable no one would have ever celebrated a birthday in Antarctica like I did today.

Today, being a holiday at the parent organisation of Indian Antarctic Research program, the Boss there was to address us on the newly started video conferencing facility. As soon as the link was established with India, we were told that it was the Boss' birthday as well today. They were aware that it is my birthday today as well. That was a pretty exciting coincidence. But the best was still to come. There was a prolonged video conferencing after the initial round of happy birthdays and the Boss spoke to each expedition member for about an hour. It was friendly chat and there was bonhomie all around. We were all feeling good. When the video conferencing was about to be over, there was a repeat round of happy birthdays and invitations to the birthday parties at both ends. It was then that I proposed that we have a joint celebration online. The cake cutting ceremony that was scheduled during the evening party may be held now. The Boss agreed. So we got 2 cakes, which are always prepared well in advance by Narayan, our cook. One was for me and the other for the Boss. The Boss also arranged for pastries in a hurry and also called his wife over. Flowers were also 'exchanged' (taken in front of the camera and accepted by the recipient at the camera at his end in a gesture). There after, candles were lit at our end. I blew out the candles and cut the cake first for the Boss, then for myself. The same ceremony was repeated on the other side. We then 'offered' each other cakes by taking it close to the camera. There was a cheerful singing of 'Happy birthday to you' from both ends. The excitement that was missing at the station for so long was now palpable. This was a historic birthday for me as well as for the Boss.

Thereafter, the television telecast, which was being tested for the last few days, was also started. Even the dull, boring DD News channel had full attendance. The breaking news at that time was "Madhu Koda resigns". It provided us a reminder of life in the civilised world. There, probably, will not be a coincidence like this ever again in Antarctica and probably not another celebration like this. This celebration will last me a lifetime. What was to be a dull day turned out to be the most memorable one.