Sunil Gavaskar: Happy birthday, Lata!

That is whywhen a major cricket tournament is happening here in South Africa I would liketo wish her happy birthday. I have had many opportunities to meet her. I admireher so much that once I told her, ���Lata didi, we as a batsman go through abad patch. We get out on zero too. But in your case you are so perfect that youalways score a century and double century in each and every song. You never facea bad patch like us. That is why we respect you so much���. And she wasembarrassed to hear that.��� Sunil relates another anecdote.���In 1982, at the end of our Pakistan tour, our team manager Maharaja FatehSingh Gaekwad decided to organise a thanksgiving party in Lahore. Maharaj andyours truly were there at the gate to welcome guests and dignitaries. WhenLataji walked in, Maharaj introduced me to Lataji by saying,���Aayiye aayiyeinko to aap jante hoge, ye hamare kaptan saabhai��� To thatLataji replied in jest, ���Nahi jee hum to sirf Imran Khan aur Zaheer Abbasko jante hai��� ThenI was formally introduced to Lataji as the Indian team captain.ThenMaharaj turned to me and said, ���I hope there is no need to introduceMalika-e-Tarannum Noorjahan to you���, that���s when I immediatelyretorted, ���Nahijee hum to sirf LataMangeshkar ko jante hai���,��� recalls Sunil with achuckle.Commenting about his favourite songs, Sunil says,���Although all of Lataji���s songs are great, two of her songs areclose to my heart. O sajana barkha baharaayi from Parakh andRaina beeti jayeshyam naaaye from AmarPrem.���