Born on the 15th of August!

Masood (62) was born on the August 15, 1947 when late prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled the tricolour as “millions of Indians woke up at the stroke of midnight” to celebrate their “tryst with destiny”.

However, the SP leader laments his countrymen are yet to understand the “true meaning” of independence and that his birthday celebrations appears “hollow” for him now.

“Let’s hope the new generation brings about the much- needed change in the country,” he said.

The other MPs born on August 15 are Sandeep Dikshit (Congress), Suryakanta Patil (NCP), S S Palanimanikam (DMK) Mohammed Tahir Khan (BSP) — all Lok Sabha — and Maya Singh (BJP), Shahid Siddiqui (BSP) and Matilal Sarkar (CPI-M) — all Rajya Sabha.

While Tripura MP Sarkar, born in 1941, is the oldest among this ‘elite’ group, the youngest is Khan, the Sultanpur MP who was born in 1975.

1950-born Maya Singh said during her childhood she felt her birthday was being celebrated by the entire nation.

“On the occasion of Independence Day, I wish all remaining problems in the country are resolved. Politicians should forget petty party politics and work with citizens for the progress of the nation,” she said.