To the first man I fell (irrevocably) in love with.

Stanley David Sanjeeva Rao was born on the 15^th of April,1956 (I’ll leave the math to you),in Bhanjanagar,Orissa.

He was born into a mad family(to say the very least), to Charlotte Sanjeeva Rao and Earnest Sanjeeva Rao,who contributed generously to the country’s population,if the current census is anything to go by.

Throughout his rather eventful life which was peppered with many a failed love affair thanks to his mother’s timely intervention,Stanley keenly pursued knowledge,second in order to women of course.

He was a bright boy in school,patronized quite predictably by Sr.Rosalie and many a girlfriend alike.His mother eagerly pursued his progress,as far as a mother of seven humanly could.

With the help of his family,he went to Loyola College,Chennai,from where,many years later,his daughter would encounter her very first stalker.After studying Economics there,and engaging in much approved of ‘productive’ youthful activity,he graduated with a Masters in Economics from Berhampur University with a Gold Medal that left not even the faintest trace upon his personal dealings.

While working in a dubiously named SAIL,he was swept away by a wave of overwhelming love for a beautiful girl from Jeypore,who he married by reciting Kahlil Gibran’s poetry to. Like all married men and women in the country,both Jayashree and Stanley , settled in Kolkata, decided to end their marital utopian existence by starting a family.Two girls-Divya and Athena appeared from thin air,as it were,and life as they knew it,was never the same.

Soon they moved to Bangalore,with their two daughters in tow, who were growing up far too rapidly in front of their eyes.It was only the other day that the two girls cheered him on as he answered questions from Quizmasters.Now it seemed,he had a lot of answering to do:

-”Daddy,pleaaaase can I go partying?”

-“Daddy,I know it’s ten o’ clock in the night,but I HAVE to buy world maps for tomorrow’s test.Please can we go Daddy?”

-“Daddy,News is SOOOO boring.Can I watch Sony please?”

-“Daddy,what do you think of my boyfriend?”

-“Daddy,I want an Ipod..please buy me one?”

It’s no surprise of course,that his once jet black hair has now turned grey,prematurely,might I add.It is only fitting therefore,that Stanley would love nothing more than to go to the Himalayas,and meditate.

It is also fitting that before he has to wake up his two girls every morning,he writes poems and reads the Bible to brace himself for the obvious dreaded morning that awaits him.

In spite of the unimaginable stress the women in his life cause him,Stanley trains several individuals across the country and turns them into diamonds our decaying country so desperately needs.

Stanley,in his free time,watches Dexter,a psychologically arousing and gripping show,which further establishes his affinity for the not-so-normal and the oh-so-insane life many of us fancy living,but avoid on account of its obvious absurdity.

Stanley also sings to his daughters, shops with his wife, and does not sleep until his youngest daughter Athena decides to do so-subject to her whims and fancies,a liberty she enjoys considering her eleven-year old self has access to such liberties a doting father so (un)willingly decides to give.

All said and done,Stanley is a nice guy.Everyone loves Raymond,and everyone loves Stanley.

Stanley David Sanjeeva Rao is my father-the BEST father in the whole wide world (arguments even implying the opposition of the same will not be tolerated,let alone entertained). By virtue of being his eldest daughter,and by the Divine Right vested in me,I have hacked into his ID and posted this write-up,to let all of you know,that not only is he an amazing father,a loving husband,a loyal son,and a good friend, he is also a truly good human being-a rarity of sorts in today’s world.

Daddy forgives easily,loves unconditionally,gives till it hurts,smiles when everything’s crumbling around him, encourages,motivates,and is a fighter.He never gives up,and above all else,he has taught me to spread my wings and fly.To Live.To enjoy the sounds of silence.To be still.To learn.To strive,to seek,to find,and not to yield...

I love you Daddy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!:)