Don’t we all enjoy the love and attention showered on us on our birthdays? The special treatment makes it almost impossible for us to wait for our next birthday. Now, what if your birthday falls once in four years? We are talking about leaplings or leap babies, who are born on February 29. They get to celebrate their birthday once in four years. While some cheat and celebrate a day in advance or a day later, there are some who celebrate their birthdays on the actual day: once in four years.
Couples break the February 29 jinx
While leaplings are excited to celebrate their birthdays once in four years, there are others who have chosen this date to get hitched. Gopa Biswas, a teacher, who will get married on February 29, says, “I have always wanted to get married on an uncommon date. While my sister got married on Tagore’s birth anniversary, I chose this day since it is quite out of the box to tie the knot. Moreover, I don’t have any qualms of celebrating my marriage anniversary once in four years. This will make each celebration perhaps more special.” For Purabi, a Kolkata resident, February 29 was apt for most of her relatives who were coming to attend her wedding from far and wide. While she will celebrate her anniversary according to the English calendar in 2020 again, she wouldn’t mind celebrating it every year, according to the Bengali calendar. Purabi says, “We wanted to get married on February 29 as it suited most of our relatives who live outstation. Also, I will make sure that I celebrate my anniversary according to the Bengali calendar every year.”
Saving celebrations for the best
As per astrologers, people born on February 29 are extremely talented and have pleasing personalities. They also have a special aura around them for being born on an unusual day. MBA student, Vivek GV, who was born on February 29, 1988, admits to being treated special till date. “It is unusual to be born on a day that comes once in four years. I like to keep it unique and even if friends and family insist on celebrating it a day before or after non-leap years, I prefer saving celebrations for the actual day. This way, I can relate to the uniqueness of the day,” says Vivek. As a child, Ameya Tathavdekar would crib about having to wait for four years to celebrate his birthday. “I still joke that I am just seven. The best part has been that I have celebrated my birthday with my school mates in 2000, junior college friends in 2004, engineering friends in 2008, MBA friends in 2012 and now currently with my colleagues where I am working,” adds Amey. continued on page 6
Girls, it’s your turn to pop the question
It is believed that in the fifth century in Ireland, St Bridget complained to St Patrick about how women have had to wait for men to propose. So, St Patrick announced February 29, as a day where women could take the initiative. This was observed in Scotland a few centuries later. So, girls, here’s your chance. Go out and pop the question. Richa M, a senior analyst came across this practice while surfing the Internet a few weeks ago. “I have been dating my colleague for four years now. He is shy and reserved. I typically wanted him to go down on his knees and propose to me. However, now that I know of this tradition, I have planned a surprise. I am going to propose to him in his office cubicle on Monday. I hope it will drive away our Monday blues at work,” says Richa.
Stars calling
Author and columnist Anupam Kapil feels there isn’t muharat as of now. He says, “As per traditional Muharat there is no marriage yog till Guru is simhasta (in Leo), but the exception to this rule is that one can marry when Sun will be exalted in Aries between April 15 to May 15. However, February 29 doesn’t have any muharats for wedding. It certainly is not a good day to marry as per Vedic Astrology as there is vyaghat yog also which causes fights, animosities, besides Jupiter, which is the significant or for marriage and all auspicious activities is in close proximity with Rahu causing a Guru Chandala yog.” For those, who will take the plunge anyway, Anupam says, “People who don’t believe in astrology can go ahead. Not always traditional muharats are followed and people cannot be that conservative.”