Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Deepa Kripalani flew thousands of miles from India to celebrate her son Rajeesh's 40th birthday. And not once was he aware that the best gift he would receive last Saturday night would be his mother.

The milestone event, which took place at Cornwall Beach in Montego Bay, saw adopted Indian Cheryl Atkinson's description of the event as an "invasion of 'anis'", persons bearing names ending in 'ani', topping the guest.

In attendance were the Samtanis, Daswanis, Dadlanis, Ramchadanis, Mahtanis, Chatanis, Chuganis, Thakuranis and more.

South Beach theme

The two party planners and the small company named Decorators Services transformed the Second City's Cornwall Beach into a replica of South Beach, Florida, using fabric, globe lanterns, torches, day beds, cushion bolsters and lighting to create a scene that took the idea of relaxation and comfort several notches up.

The birthday boy, a manager of Tropicana Jewellers, was surrounded by his wife Neha, owner of Shoppes at Rose Hall's Déjà vu, two sons Ankit and Akshay, his brother Rahul, who flew in from Mexico, cousins Hiro and Poonam Uttam from Barbados and a host of some 150 guests who turned out for the celebratory event.

"For years I never wanted to reach 40, as that age always suggested going over the hill and I had no intention of doing that," quipped Kripalani, before quickly resigning himself to the 'fact' that 40 is actually now the new 30.

"So, I am not at all worried, as of now, I will celebrate only anniversaries, no more birthdays, he added."

Janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com