Not the ideal way to usher in one’s birthday (be it the very first or 81st), but Farokh Maneksha Engineer had no choice but to spend the entire Monday morning undergoing a “complete health check-up” at the P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre in Mumbai.
“I’m fine now and getting ready to party (planned by a friend for decades from the Media industry)... I guess the naughtier I get, the better I will be,” Farokh, a much-idolised former India and Rest of World ’keeper, told The Telegraph around 6.30 pm.
However, Farokh had been far from gung-ho on Saturday night at a coming together of “dear friends,” including Dilip Vengsarkar, a former India captain and chief selector.
“I felt some discomfort and pain in the chest region and was taken then itself to the Hinduja facility...
“It wasn’t something very serious, but I was asked to report today (Monday) for a complete check-up,” Farokh informed.
So, what’s Farokh’s message for 81-year-olds?
“Enjoy life and live life to the fullest... There’s always something to look forward to,” Farokh replied, in that mischief-laced tone of his.
As of now, the Manchester-based Farokh is scheduled to stay in India till Wednesday.
Talking about Saturday night, Vengsarkar said: “A doctor was among the invitees and, when Farokh began feeling uneasy, he was taken to the Hinduja Hospital...
“Precautionary tests were done that night and Farokh was advised complete rest. Fact is he’s been travelling across India over the past three weeks and appears fatigued. Still, Farokh is so excited about the party in his honour.”
Vengsarkar’s first appearance for India was some months after Farokh’s last (in the 1975 World Cup), but they have been particularly close over the decades.
Sachin Tendulkar The Telegraph file picture
Late in the day, meanwhile, Sachin ‘The Master’ Tendulkar tweeted his birthday greetings: “Your timing both on and off the pitch has been great. Your wit has always entertained everyone around you. Wishing you a very happy birthday, Farokh Engineer Sir.”
Sachin, it may be recalled, posted his maiden Test hundred at Old Trafford — Farokh’s second ‘home’, after the Brabourne Stadium.
The tweet, by the way, summed up Farokh very well.
Accompanied by Roxanne, one of his four daughters, Farokh arrived in India in the first week of this month to act as “guest speaker” on the Mumbai-New Jalpaiguri journey on The Deccan Odyssey and beyond as well.
Chartered by the UK-based Golden Eagle Luxury Trains, The Deccan Odyssey hosted 70 well-heeled patrons from pretty much across the globe. Besides the chartered train, they undertook journeys by road (New Jaipaiguri-Darjeeling-Bagdogra Airport) and, then, flew to Calcutta.
