Just after sunrise while I was walking around the project, I could hear Siddarth singing happy birthday to Tak. As I came back to the veranda, I was welcomed with my own birthday wish and present from Siddarth and Mitali - a beautiful pair of earrings. The girls had also received a matching pair Indian style. So thoughtful and generous. At assembly the mood sobered a bit as Siddarth disciplined the four Class I culprits. They had to come to the front of assembly grab their ear lobes (a sign of shame or saying "I'm sorry") and do a few squats. They then came and touched my feet as a sign of respect. Turns out I will not get to have class with them again. A sad way to say goodbye indeed. But Dani and Tak lightened the mood with their mural presentation and Class I singing "Old McDonald".. After break, we went to Godda to check Joanna in and Dani, Tak and me out at the district police. Joanna was spared the usual interrogation ("What color are your eyes? Are you Christian? What does INRI mean?") due to our celebrity status, i.e. our ATM news photo fame. And after the unusually short check in/out, we sat in Sachin's Ram Dev Baba store (my favorite place in Godda;)) where he gave us tea and free Frangipani soaps. The evening was a blast. For Tak's birthday, we all gathered on the veranda for more gifts and stories. Then a bonfire with pakoras, chutney, parathas, veg chop, Pepsi, songs, an especially moist birthday cake with one huge candle and birthday streamers! Thanks for sharing your birthday Tak;)!
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