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

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