‘How
do
we
truly
measure
a
life?
Is
it
in
milestones
or
the
fleeting
moments
we
cherish
later?’
‘Or
perhaps
in
the
anniversaries
that
come
each
year,
like
an
old
friend?’
Photograph:
Kind
courtesy
Saira
Banu/Instagram
Saira
Banu
marked
her
80th
birthday
on
August
23
in
the
company
of
close
family
and
friends.
Photograph:
Kind
courtesy
Saira
Banu/Instagram
It
was
nice
to
see
Farida
Jalal
being
a
part
of
the
birthday
celebrations.
One
of
the
highlights
of
the
evening
was
a
video
featuring
the
actor
singing
happy
birthday
to
Saira.
Photograph:
Kind
courtesy
Saira
Banu/Instagram
‘How
do
we
truly
measure
a
life?
Is
it
in
milestones
or
the
fleeting
moments
we
cherish
later?
Or
perhaps
in
the
anniversaries
that
come
each
year,
like
an
old
friend?’
Saira
asked
in
her
post.
Photograph:
Kind
courtesy
Saira
Banu/Instagram
Saira
Banu
extended
special
thanks
to
her
family
members,
including
her
‘son’
Rehan
Ahmed,
who
is
her
eldest
brother
Sultan’s
son,
and
his
daughter
Shaheen,
who
travelled
from
Chennai
to
be
with
her.
She
also
mentioned
grandnieces
Anaiya
and
Ansharah
who
played
a
pivotal
role
in
organising
the
celebration.
She
acknowledged
friends
like
Dr
Meera
Agarwal,
Farida
Jalal
and
her
son
Yaseen,
Mani
Talati
and
Mehfooza,
her
daughter
Shaista,
Azra
Lokhandwala
and
writer
Moin
Beg,
who
conceptualised
Heeramandi:
The
Diamond
Bazaar.
The
movie
legend
described
her
family
as
her
‘Rock
of
Gibraltar,’
highlighting
their
role
in
making
her
birthday
special.
Photograph:
Kind
courtesy
Saira
Banu/Instagram
‘So,
how
does
one
measure
life?
I
believe
it’s
found
in
a
room
filled
with
family
and
friends,
a
table
set
with
food,
and
an
invisible
thread
called
love.
Thank
goodness
for
family
and
friends!’
she
finds
her
answer.
Photograph:
Kind
courtesy
Saira
Banu/Instagram
Saira
also
shared
throwback
pictures
on
her
birthday,
writing,
‘The
most
precious
gift
I’ve
ever
received?
A
heartfelt
compliment
from
Dilip
Kumar
that
changed
my
life
forever!
On
a
magical
evening
at
my
home,
he
walked
in,
held
my
hand,
and
said,
“My,
you
have
grown
up
into
a
beautiful
girl.”
Time
stood
still.
Little
did
I
know,
it
was
the
start
of
our
beautiful
love
story.
‘Growing
up,
birthdays
were
always
special,
thanks
to
the
abundance
of
love
and
support
from
my
grandmother,
Shamshad
Waheed
Khan,
my
loving
mother,
Pari
Chehra
Naseem
Banuji,
and
the
guidance
of
my
elder
brother,
Sultan.
Their
blessings
and
values
have
shaped
me
into
the
person
I
am
today,
and
I’m
forever
grateful.
‘On
August
23rd,
1966,
we
celebrated
my
birthday
and
the
housewarming
of
our
new
home,
thoughtfully
chosen
and
built
near
Dilip
Sahib’s
house.
Among
many
options,
we
selected
this
location
to
be
close
to
him,
unknowingly
paving
the
way
for
our
future
together.
‘He
surprised
me
by
flying
in
from
Madras,
and
his
words
sparked
a
bond
that
would
last
a
lifetime.
From
wide-eyed
fan
to
devoted
wife,
I’ve
been
fortunate
to
experience
the
many
facets
of
this
incredible
human
being.
His
understated
elegance
and
kindness
have
touched
my
heart
in
ways
I
never
thought
possible.’
Photograph:
Kind
courtesy
Saira
Banu/Instagram
‘Today,
as
I
celebrate
another
birthday,
I’m
overwhelmed
with
love
and
gratitude
from
kind-hearted
people
who
have
showered
me
with
affection.
Yet,
amidst
the
joy,
my
heart
yearns
for
the
one
person
who
made
every
day
feel
like
a
celebration
—
Dilip
Sahib.
I
wish
he
was
here
to
hold
my
hand,
smile
at
me,
and
make
this
day
unforgettable.
‘Though
he’s
not
physically
present,
his
love
and
legacy
live
on
in
my
heart.
I’m
grateful
for
our
time
together
and
cherish
the
memories
we
created.
This
birthday,
I
look
forward
to
reliving
them
forever
by
sharing
stories
of
my
beloved
with
you
all
through
my
Instagram
page.’
Photographs
curated
by
Satish
Bodas/Rediff.com
