Ageu Da! The story of my many birthdays

Adapted from my Diary Entry on 3rd July 1999


Greetings from Rastatt, Germany!

Today is Saturday 3rd July 1999, my real birthday. But what is a real birthday and is there such a thing as an unreal one? We will see soon :-)

I'm sitting here all alone in my service apartment on a Saturday morning, overlooking a lush green lawn from my window. I've just come into connection with a project at Daimler Germany Rastatt, and I'm feeling excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.

As I look out at the world around me, I'm reminded of the words of a poem that I've been reflecting on lately. "I am the poet of every moment, every moment is my story," it goes. These words resonate with me deeply, as I believe that life is a constantly unfolding story and that we each have the power to shape our own narrative.  

At this moment, I feel alive and invigorated, filled with a sense of possibility and wonder. Everything around me feels new and exciting, and I'm eager to explore this beautiful country and immerse myself in its rich culture. 

And yet, as I sit here contemplating the wonders of life, I can't help but reflect on the concept of birthdays and what they truly mean. Let's explore this idea together and see if we can find some common ground.  I have always dreaded birthdays, the constant reminder that another year has passed, and the pressure to celebrate the occasion with cheer and enthusiasm. I mean, why should I be forced to celebrate a day that marks the passage of time? Unless, of course, one believes in getting back to Godhead sooner.

What's worse, is that I seem to age much faster than others. At least, three times faster. I am often forced to celebrate my birthday three times a year, all within a gap of 30 to 45 days. 
  1. One is, of course, my real date of birth as per the Gregorian calendar. 
  2. The other is based on the birth star in the Tamil calendar month I was born, which is most often on a different date. 
  3. And the third is based on the birth date given by my parents while admitting me to school, which has become THE OFFICIAL birth date in school, college, job, passport, and all other legal documents. 
Those days, there was no insistence on birth certificates, and I still do not have one. Maybe the term "real" has lost its meaning in this context.

Addendum (in 2022)

Despite my reservations about birthdays, let's embrace this day, blow out the candles, and eat some cake. After all, it's a chance to spend time with loved ones and to appreciate the moments we have together. Who knows, it might even be fun!

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