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In all aspects of life, this woman will find the romance

Fiercely dedicated to friends and family, she’ll do anything for those she cares about

A social butterfly, she only does things she truly enjoys

A defining trait, one she proudly accepts and broadcasts

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Wishing Arunima a very very happy birthday... we met at 18 and our friendship is still going strong at 50. We have seen each other through lots of ups and downs of life, but have always reached each other at point of crisis and drew solace from the leg pulls and harmless banters towards us only. Wishing Arunima a very happy landmark birthday once again, have a great celebration today ??

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I think  of Arunima every time I see a sunshiny sky. That is not surprising since many people know Arunima is a sky lover. I try to take a photo of the sky if I have my phone with me and send it to her saying Arunima r  jonye . The other association, I must confess, is somewhat strange and only those who were formed with us on those formative years of our life in the famous (or infamous) lobby of  Jadavpur  university would laugh along with me.

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The memory of Arunima sweeping our lobby to rid it of all the dust that accumulated overnight so all of us could have a clean space to sit and ponder. She also lit incense sticks to create an ambience for all our high  falutin  ideas that we thought of and articulated while sitting at the aforementioned famous or infamous lobby of JU.. To this day, after 30 odd years, I chuckle at the scene.  I write this only to say this is how I see Arunima. A lover of life despite the sorrows that come with living, a lover of nature, a lover of poetry, a dreamer and someone who wants to make the world better for another. Her life long commitment to the children is a testament to her determination to leave this world a better place. I know the innocence of the children sustain her, they give her hope and she continues to share this innocence and still wonders at the magnificence of life and the world around her.

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We came together as 18/19 year as newly registered undergrads in JU. We spent some joyful (mostly) years together, growing in our thoughts and expanding our boundaries. Then life happened and we drifted apart. We lost touch for many years in between where we became mothers ourselves and continued with our lives in different parts of the world. I don't even remember how we reconnected but we did reconnect on social media and picked up from where we left off. We met a few times in Kolkata, once in Bangalore. But we were constantly connected via  whatsapp  or  facebook .

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Then  Covid  happened and I suffered the worst loss of my life so far. Guess who stepped up to take my place and held my hand firmly in her grasp to fight through that time? Yes, Arunima and  Soubhadra  and  Reshmi  and Sanjay and  Shyamali . That is who she is. When I needed the most help, she said "Tell me what I can do." And she did what she could do - tirelessly. I did not say thank you. At least I don't think I did. Because what does that even mean? Words are so limiting. So what I do instead is when I go for a walk, I look up at the sky and send up a prayer to the universe to keep my friend well. I urge the universe to take care of her and those I  mentioned   because they take  it upon themselves  to care for others.

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Soubhadra  asked me to write a few lines about how Arunima touched my life. I would say she did not simply touch it, she took my hands in her hand and never let go. I am inspired by her kindness to me and to all those she cares for. I hope to pay this kindness and love forward. Shubho   jonmodin   bondhu .  Bhalo   thak ,  bhalo   rakh .  Ek  rash  bhalobasha   ar   ador   roilo  tor  jonye . Piyali

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Wish you a very happy birthday and hope for many more ! It is unbelievable but our friendship goes back about 45 years ! It was so nice to meet you in Mumbai after a gap of 20 years since we left school. Your very thoughtful musical gift in the form of a toy guitar for my daughter made her day and the years to follow!! All of us have enjoyed your very imaginative greetings on different occasions whether it is new year or  Durga  Puja. And of course, I dearly cherish our friendship ! I wish we could be there in  cal  in person to wish you. Hope you have a lovely day and a wonderful year ahead! Please stay as smiling and happy and enthusiastic as ever ! Love Madhurima

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She’s a fantastic person and totally deserves to be spoilt on this landmark birthday.

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I  wanna  be young the rest of my life Never say no, try anything twice 'Till the angels come, and ask me to fly I'm  gonna  be 18 'til I die, 18 'til I  die Can't live forever, that's wishful  thinkin ' Whoever said that, must have been  drinkin ' Don't  wanna  grow up, I don't see why I couldn't care less if time flies by

Amazing Arunima!

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