Happy Birthday, Nisha – A Celebration of Joy, Kindness, and Community

by Dennis Augustine

We were deeply touched to receive a heartfelt invitation from Paras to celebrate his wonderful wife, Nisha’s, birthday. He shared a quote from Nisha, which beautifully encapsulated the essence of the celebration:

“Nisha always says that a party is just a room until it’s filled with people she loves.”

Our paths crossed with Nisha at a Diwali celebration (Festival of Lights) at the Rinconada Hills in Los Gatos last year. She radiated warmth and joy, gracefully dancing to Bollywood tunes and making her way over to our table to introduce herself. Nisha was actively involved in helping our neighbors and friends, Aniket Singh and his wife, Sphoorti Patil, who were the organizers of the event.

This past weekend, approximately 50 guests gathered on Nisha and Paras’s beautifully renovated, spacious lower-level deck. The adults were delighted with Indian buffet, while the kids couldn’t resist the pizza. Although Cecile couldn’t attend, she graciously assisted me in selecting a beautiful pink orchid plant for Nisha, which was elegantly placed as a centerpiece at the table I shared with other familiar guests.

After dinner, Paras invited everyone to take a group photo before we sang “Happy Birthday” to Nisha. Just as the party was coming to an end, he made a heartwarming announcement: they were donating 40 snack bags to “LifeMoves,” a homeless organization in Silicon Valley. This beautiful gesture truly reflected the spirit of the celebration.

Pink orchids symbolize kindness, joy, and the ability to appreciate beauty in life and share it with others. Nisha and Paras embodied these qualities, making this special event truly memorable for all.