Chahat Pandey on celebrating her birthday with underprivileged children: I wanted to bring a smile to children who need love and care

While birthdays are often celebrated with parties, dinners and get-togethers, Chahat Pandey chose to mark hers differently this year. The actress, who has been part of shows like Hamari Bahu Silk, Durga – Mata Ki Chhaya and Nath: Krishna Aur Gauri Ki Kahani, spent the day with underprivileged children at the SHED Centre, turning the occasion into a celebration of sharing, gratitude and joy.

Instead of planning a conventional birthday gathering, Chahat wanted the day to bring happiness to children who rarely get to be part of such celebrations. She says, “Most of us celebrate our birthdays with parties, friends and get-togethers. This year, however, I felt I should do something that would make children happy, especially those who need love and care. I wanted to bring a smile to their faces, so I chose to celebrate my birthday at a children’s home.”

The decision, she says, was also driven by gratitude towards her mother, whose love and sacrifices she credits for everything she has achieved. The actress, who was also seen in Bigg Boss 18, says, “Whatever I am today is because of my mother’s blessings, love, hard work and sacrifices. It is because of her that I have reached this stage in life and am able to do something that brings happiness to others. So I thought, why not? That is why I celebrated my birthday with these lovely and innocent children and shared my happiness with them.”

What she expected to be a simple celebration soon turned into an emotional experience. Recalling the warm welcome she received, Chahat says, “The children were far more excited than I was. They welcomed me with so much love, showered flower petals on me and even made handmade birthday cards for me. Those cards were beautiful and genuinely made me emotional.”

The day was filled with gifts, cake, food and dancing, creating memories she says she will always cherish. “I had taken gifts for the children and we spent the day together, cutting cake, eating and dancing. I had a wonderful birthday, but I think the children enjoyed it even more than I did,” she signs off with a smile.