Low-key birthday for Sourav Ganguly

Kolkata (PTI): Sourav Ganguly, who turned 41 on Monday, chose to keep his birthday a low-key affair, even as a large number of fans and school children gathered outside his Behala residence since morning to greet the former India captain. In fact, Ganguly returned from Singapore early this morning after attending a business meeting but the former cricketer obliged all his fans who came in groups to cut the customary cake. It was his first birthday since his father Chandidas' demise in February this year, and Ganguly appeared sad and emotional. "I'm not celebrating this time, it's been a sad start to the year," Ganguly, who was very close to his father, said. In his birthday message, he told his fans: "Try to achieve something in whatever you do. Go for something extraordinary otherwise life becomes mundane." The cricket team of G B Memorial Institution, Sarsuna had arrived with a giant cake and bouquet, while about 30-odd members of the Sourav Ganguly Fan Club in Behala gifted the former cricketer with a watch made up of a gramophone record. "We have been greeting Dada (Ganguly) since he was made the Indian captain. It's a big day for us and we distribute sweets and cakes in the name of Dada," Ratan Haldar of the club said. Coach of G B Memorial Institution, Shantanu Shah said: "Dada is an inspiration for all of us. It's a big occasion to come here for these budding cricketers."