One Hundred Years of Life and Love

How many of us have had the privilege of attending a 100th Birthday Party? Yes, a party on completing one hundred years! Did I see some wide eyes and dropping jaws?

Ghumakkad too hadn't been so fortunate until last week.

My aunt, Padma Bhargava completed one hundred years of her life on 14th September 2026, filled with joy and happiness. We call her Padma Mausi. To celebrate this milestone, the family had organised an exclusive event in Gurgaon where she lives. I travelled from Hyderabad to be part of this momentous occasion. Sharing below a few pictures from the event as well as from Padma Mausi's archives.

Early Life

Born on 14th September 1926 she is the eldest of six siblings- three brothers and three sisters. For the first four years she was the only child and hence received all the love and affection from her parents. Married at 20 to Kameshwar Bhargava, she has stayed in various parts of India including Mathura, Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata. 

Padma Mausi and my mother (Pushpa) are the first two sisters (from the left) standing in the last row in the above picture.

Out of six siblings, sadly two are no more. 

The Family Grows

Soon Chitra, Chandra, Sharat and Poonam arrived. They all got married. Padma mausi has five grandchildren and five great grandchildren (as on date!) who all love her the most. Sharing few pictures of her grandchildren who spoke during the celebrations.

Here is another picture with her great grandson donning the New Year headgear.

The Venue

Sharing below a few pictures and a video of the venue and the guests.

Conversation

Few months back, I had called Padma Mausi to convey that I would certainly attend her 100th birthday celebrations.

She responded in her crisp voice, "तो तूने मुझे यह बताने के लिए फ़ोन किया है कि तू आएगा ! पर मुझसे बात करने के लिए नहीं ?" Her humour is certainly intact at hundred years! In English, her response was "So, you have called me to convey that you will come for my 100th birthday. But not to talk to me otherwise!"

Fast forward to 14th September. Her 100th Birthday celebrations in Gurgaon. When I touched her feet to seek her blessings and congratulated her, she asked' "पर  यह बता कि तुझे कैसे पता चला कि मेरी सौवीं सालगिरह है ?" Isn't her memory and inquisitiveness remarkable at 100? After I explained that she was just a year older to my mother, she nodded in agreement.

Setbacks

She lost her husband 19 years ago. Within two years, her only son passed away. But a strong person that she is, she overcame both the personal tragedies with fortitude and courage. Credit also goes to Shashi her daughter-in-law, who despite losing her husband at a young age, pulled the life together. Both are a great support to each other. 

Six years ago, Mausi did feel a sense of emptiness on her 94th birthday when she wrote a poem. But as she wrote the opening lines, she converted it into a feeling of gratitude and well being of the whole family. Poem shared below courtesy Ajeet Bhargava, her eldest son-in-law.

The Cake

Everyone would expect the number '100' on the birthday cake. But no, it was '001' instead. Why?

Because Mausi explained that zero has no meaning in life. So the grandchildren then made it to '001' instead of '100'. It also symbolised Mausi's yearn for learning and her inquisitiveness like a one-year old!

Here are two short videos of the cake cutting. Mausi walks up to the table escorted by Shishir, her grandson.

Next video captures the customary cake cutting.

Her Pastimes

Padma mausi defies her age. Guess what? At the age of 100, she irons her own clothes, plays Sudoku everyday, waters the plants, chats with her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren using a Tablet, does knitting and likes to phone up people. Unbelievable? See the pictures below.

Aditi, her granddaughter who lives in Bengaluru, has summarised Padma Mausi's life in few words:

"नानी प्यारी नानी

लम्बी है आपकी कहानी

Your strength gives us strength 

Your wisdom empowers us

We know your blessings are always protecting us"

We bow in admiration and adulation to our centurion Padma Mausi. Her life continues to inspire, not only because of the years she has lived, but because of the grace, curiosity & purpose with which she lives each day.

We pray for her continued good health in the years to come.

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Do leave a comment. It encourages us.

    -  Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Ajeet Bhargava/ Gurgaon and Secunderabad/ 19th Sep 2026

#100thBirthday #OneHundredYearsOfLifeAndLove #PadmaBhargava #happiness #positivity #SelfDiscipline #IntellectualOccupation #SecretOfLongivity #SudokuAt100 #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh

90 Never Looked So Graceful!

Can you still look charming at ninety when your knees wobble?

Can you still be as graceful?

Can you retain the poise which you had decades ago?

Yes you can if you are Savita Bhargava- Ghumakkad's aunt who recently celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends in Delhi.  She continues to be as charming as ever. I travelled from Hyderabad not to miss the family event. Sharing few pictures of the milestone event.

Here is a short video  clip of some of the guests from overseas and India in animated conversations.

The Invite

Sharing below the invite by the nonagenarian's children. To make the event memorable and to enable Savita Mami to meet all the guests and spend some quality time, the 90th Birthday celebrations were spread over two days. The guest lists on the two days were mutually exclusive. A brilliant idea! Well done Ruchi and team.

Early Life

Her daughter Ruchi Ghose writes, "Born in 1936 on 3rd September. The day she was born her father got a job. Very happy and idyllic childhood. Special to her father. Lost him one year after she got married. Has a BSc and a B.Ed. She has a gift of expression - has written stories and commentaries for many programs. Dances and sings with ease."

Few pictures of yesteryears courtesy Ruchi.

   

Geetika - Joy In Music

Her passion for music led her to start Geetika in Kolkata in 1976. A group of women who sought joy in music. They got together once a week to sing. Geetika still exists in Kolkata and Delhi. They have the most fabulous collection of music ( लोकगीत folk songs) and many original compositions. They present wonderful programs from time to time. She has played a huge role in conceptualising and curating many of these. An exclusive event for the Geetika friends was held a day earlier where they presented Mami with a specially curated booklet.

Ruchi adds, "Her hobbies - she is an excellent seamstress and always stitched our frocks. She has six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Most of all she is special to many many people."

Forever Young Granny

Ruchi continues, "She refuses to grow old - is interested in so many things. Her grand children adore her - in their eyes she is the best cook and worlds best granny- can do no wrong. When they were young they used to go to Delhi alone for summer holidays. Summers with granny form their fondest memories."

Surprise in Bengaluru

Savita Mami and Jolly Mama live in Bengaluru. Four months ago, I had the pleasure of giving her a surprise visit. The surprise formed the opening part of Ghumakkad's post linked below;

Thriving on Surprises - sharing a picture and a video of the surprise visit. Mami can be seen knitting a sweater for her grand children,

Dancing At Eighty

Savita Mami is an accomplished dancer. Ten years ago, despite aching knees she performed at her niece's wedding while seated on a chair! Sounds incredible? Browse the story below and see few of the pictures and a video to admire Mami's grace.

Dancing At Eighty - Grace has no age!

Special thanks are due to Ruchi Ghose, Mami's eldest offspring for all the inputs including the vintage photographs.

I felt truly blessed to have been part of the celebrations. May Savita Mami enjoy many more years of good health so that we get to attend such parties again and again.

Thanks for browsing. Stay connected and do leave a comment. It encourages us.

   - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Ruchi Ghose/ Secunderabad and New Delhi/ 14th September 2026

#90thBirthday #Grace #charm #poise #music #dance #GreatGranny #ForverYoung #abhinaya #SavitaBhargava #RuchiGhose #GhumakkadHarsh #ghumakkadhb #JoyOfMusic #geetika

Walking Behind A Waterfall

 This is a guest story from USA by Akanksha, our daughter.

Silver Falls State Park is the largest state park in Oregon, famous for its scenic waterfalls and lush forests. It covers over 9,000 acres and sits near the city of Silverton, about 20 miles east of Salem. Readers from India may be familiar with a town in Tamil Nadu having the same name.

Sharing below few pictures and a video taken by Akanksha while hiking solo in the Park.

Sharing below a short video to give you a feel of being 'in' the waterfall.

Here is another short video of the waterfall.

She flew down from San Francisco to Oregon. See the aerial shot of the Golden Gate Bridge taken by her. Isn't it simply stunning?

Key Features of the Park

Trail of Ten Falls: A famous 7.2-mile walking path takes hikers past ten distinct waterfalls.

Walk Behind Waterfalls: Four of the waterfalls feature large rock alcoves that let you walk directly behind the falling water. This is the trail Akanksha, our daughter, did solo a few days back. 

South Falls: This is the most popular waterfall in the park, plunging 177 feet.

Double Falls: At 178 feet, this remote spot is the tallest waterfall in the park.

Other Activities

Hiking: The park offers over 24 miles of walking and hiking trails.

Mountain Biking: Visitors can use a dedicated 4-mile bike path.

Horseback Riding: There are 14 miles of specialized horse trails.

Camping: The park provides overnight tent sites, RV spaces, and cabins.

Practical Information

Location: East of Salem and a short drive from Portland.

Passes: A day-use parking permit or an Oregon State Parks annual pass is required.

Readers may plan their visit through the Oregon State Parks.

We thank Akanksha for sharing the stunning pictures including the aerial shot of the Golden Gate Bridge. She has previously also written guest stories for this blog.

Thanks for browsing. 

Stay connected and do leave a comment to encourage us. 

  Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Akanksha Bhargava/ Oregon and Secunderabad/ 11th September 2026

#waterfalls #SilverFallsStatePark #Oregon #USA #hiking #solo #woman #WalkinBehindAWaterfall #Alcove #greenwoods #ghumakkadharsh #ghumakkadhb #Akanksha #GuestStory #salem