Skip to main content

Point of celebrating birthdays

Why Celebrate Birthdays? Let’s Talk About It!
Originally published on - 03/09/2015 22:33
Revised version - 29/12/2024
- - -
Ever wondered why we make such a big fuss about birthdays? From ageing woes to social expectations, this piece uncovers the paradox of birthday celebrations. With witty anecdotes and some hard truths, discover why birthdays might just be overrated—except for the cake, of course!

Why do we celebrate birthdays anyway?

Last month, I found myself pondering this peculiar tradition. What is so “happy” about a happy birthday? Every year, we are reminded that we are growing older. The wrinkles around our eyes deepen, and let’s face it, our youth is slipping away. Sure, they say age brings wisdom, but don’t we often repeat the same mistakes year after year?

For many of us, birthdays also mark a step closer to a life filled with doctor’s appointments and diagnostic tests. Hardly a cheerful milestone, wouldn’t you agree?

Should we really be celebrating our “achievements”?

Birthdays often feel like a moment to reflect on what we’ve accomplished. But in an era where the Earth’s carbon footprint grows larger and our planet’s health diminishes, celebrating feels… misplaced. Did you know that the average person produces about 4.8 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually? Makes you think twice about those party balloons, doesn’t it?

Also read: Panditji ka Dhaba - Sadar Bazar Gurgaon

Unless you are a politician (where people need an excuse to throw a party), there’s not much rationale for all the pomp and show. Instead, we are saddled with the stress of organising parties and deciding whom to invite. And let’s not forget the awkwardness of avoiding certain “friends” without offending them. It’s a logistical headache disguised as a celebration.

Do all those birthday wishes mean anything?

In our hyper-connected world, birthdays are synonymous with a deluge of notifications. Calls, texts, social media posts—they pour in from every direction. But let’s be honest: how many of these greetings are genuine? Some are automated, others obligatory. Rarely do they carry the warmth of real connection.

Here’s an anecdote: A friend once sent me a heartfelt birthday message, only to admit later that they’d forgotten and the message was prompted by an app. It made me chuckle and wonder if technology has robbed birthdays of their authenticity.

Editor's pick: 6 degrees

Is the cake the only thing worth celebrating?

For me, birthdays boil down to one thing: the cake. There is something delightfully universal about this sugary centrepiece. Whether it’s a classic chocolate sponge or a fruit creation, the cake is the one truly happy part of a happy birthday. And hey, who doesn’t love a reason to indulge?

FAQs about Birthdays:

  1. Why do people celebrate birthdays?

    • Birthdays historically marked milestones in life and were seen as a time to reflect and celebrate survival.

  2. Are birthday parties necessary?

    • Not at all! A quiet day with loved ones or personal reflection can be just as meaningful.

  3. What are eco-friendly ways to celebrate birthdays?

    • Plant a tree, host a sustainable dinner, or donate to a cause instead of throwing a lavish party.

Birthdays, in their essence, remind us of the passage of time. But how we choose to observe them is entirely personal. For me, they are a mixed bag of social obligations, philosophical reflections, and—thankfully—delicious cake.

Note: For more inspiring insights, subscribe to the YouTube Channel at Tushar Mangl!

About the Author: Tushar Mangl is the author of Ardika and The Avenging Act. He writes about books, food, personal finance, mental health, and the art of living a balanced, green life.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Also read

Toddy to Tequila Review: How Does Alcohol Tell the Story of India?

What if the history of India could be read through a glass? In Toddy to Tequila , Sandhya Mulchandani turns alcohol into an unexpected historical guide, moving from Vedic rituals and indigenous brews to Mughal courts, colonial trade and modern distilleries. Her subject is never simply drinking. It is faith, pleasure, prohibition, commerce, class, power and the people caught between them. Have you ever wondered what your drink says about the country you live in? Perhaps you are sitting somewhere with a drink in front of you. Nothing dramatic. No Mughal durbar. No colonial club with men in linen suits pretending the weather is not trying to kill them. You might be holding whisky. Or feni. Or beer. Perhaps a cocktail with a name that requires three attempts before you can pronounce it without embarrassing yourself. Perhaps it is toddy, poured from a humble container that has travelled a very long distance from the fashionable cocktail menus of modern India. Now ask yourself a sligh...
Post a Comment
Read more

Did You Ever Love Me? Book Review: Can Rithvik singh turn heartbreak into a homecoming?

Did You Ever Love Me? by Rithvik Singh is a tender contemporary poetry collection about love, heartbreak, longing, self worth and learning to let go. Its greatest strength is emotional accessibility: Singh writes directly to readers who feel intensely and care deeply. The collection offers comfort without pretending heartbreak is simple, though its simplicity may occasionally feel familiar to seasoned poetry readers. Did you Ever Love Me? Have you ever loved someone so completely that, after they left, you were left wondering whether they had ever understood what they had been given? Not merely whether they loved you, but whether they ever noticed how much you loved them, how much patience you offered, how many small things you remembered, or how often you chose to stay when leaving might have been easier. There is a particular loneliness in that question because it rarely arrives at a dramatic moment. More often, it finds you while you are doing something completely ordinary. Yo...
1 comment
Read more

Does India need communal parties?

I think, it was Tan's post on this blog itself, Republic Day Event, where this question was raised. My answer. YES. we need communal parties even in Independent, Secular India. Now let me take you, back to events before 1947. When India was a colony of the British Empire. The congress party, in its attempt to gain momentum for the independence movement, heavily used Hinduism, an example of which is the famous Ganesh Utsav held in Mumbai every year. Who complains? No one. But at that time, due to various policies of the congress, Muslims started feeling alienated. Jinnah, in these times, got stubborn over the need of Pakistan and he did find a lot of supporters. Congress, up till late 1940's never got bothered by it. And why should we? Who complains? No one. But there were repercussions. The way people were butchered and slaughtered during that brief time when India got partitioned, was even worse than a civil war scenario. All in the name of religion. And there indeed was cr...
40 comments
Read more