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Calcutta, July 11: India's highest run-getter in Test cricket Sunil Gavaskar completed half century in the field of life Saturday.

The man with the highest number of centuries in Test however, spent the entire day in the company of his family and close friends Gautam Thakkar and Milind Rege at Khandala, which is a three hour drive from Mumbai. Gavaskar's sister Kavita and her husband Gundappa Vishwanath were the other two family members who were present.

Thakkar incidentally is Sunil Gavaskar's partner in badminton. This is one game that Gavaskar plays regularly when he is in Mumbai.

Talking over from his resident in Mumbai on Friday, the 'little master' said that even though there were plans of a lavish celebration by his family members he had asked them to refrain from it. The death of his mentor M.L.Jaishima only a couple of days back had depressed him. Besides, the ongoing battle at Kargil and the death news of Indian soldiers have also overshadowed his joy at reaching 50.

``The entire country is reeling under the threat of a war. So how can I celebrate my birthday at this juncture,'' Gavaskar said.

Even though, Sunny Gavaskar did not allow any functions to celebrate his 50th birthday, people in Calcutta, celebrated the occasion with gaiety.

Posters of Gavaskar on street corners were garlanded. Fans chanted slogans like ``Long live the little master,'' and ``We hope he gets a maiden 100 in life.'' A banner read, ``We may not be there, but our generation will remember you on July 10, 2049.''