Mandana Karimi: I have been feeling low, because I had made plans for my birthday

To begin with, Mandana Karimi didn’t have any grand plans for her birthday this year. She just wanted to celebrate the occasion with her close friends, and in a normal world, that’s exactly what she would have done. But, in a world that’s been battling a deadly virus for the past few months, even these simple wishes might seem too much to ask for.


Mandana, who turns a year younger today, says, “I wish I were with my family and family during this crisis. It gets really lonely at times. I am trying to stay positive and strong, but it’s not easy, especially on special occasions like birthdays. I have been feeling low, because I had made plans for the day. I was supposed to hold a screening of ‘The Casino’ for my friends, followed by a sitdown dinner. But now, I can’t do any of it.”


Her family in Iran is obviously worried about her, as she lives alone in Mumbai. Mandana shares, “My family is worried for me, but I have many friends who are like family. They have been really helpful. Also, no one can do anything beyond a point. I can’t go back home, nor can my mother come here. So, we are making a conscious effort to be happy.”


For now, her two dogs are keeping her company. Given that she won’t be able to meet her friends, has she altered her birthday plans? “While I haven’t made any new plan, I am doing my bit to help society. I am part of an NGO, which makes sure that no one sleeps hungry. So, I am doing live interactions, the proceeds of which go to the NGO. In fact, I recently went live and just on the basis of social media announcements and WhatsApp messages, we collected 70,000 grocery bags for the needy. I am also associated with another group led by Pragya Kapoor and my other two friends, who feed more than 1,000 people every day around Bandra.”


She adds, “I am hoping to get a lot of cakes from my friends. Also, I ordered a punching bag, a yoga mat and a pair of pants for myself. The pants, made by a local store in Bandra, are stitched using fishnet and recycled plastic.”


Ask her about her birthday wish and Mandana replies, “I wish health, patience, kindness, happiness and smiles for everybody on this planet. I pray we are all going to be safe and healthy. Hopefully, this crisis will end soon and we will be back with our loved ones, enjoying our freedom.”


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