Sourav Ganguly's 31st birthday has generated an unprecedented hype. 

Fan clubs are holding special programmes, distributing sweets among members to mark the occasion and garlanding huge posters of Ganguly. City schools have sent him birthday cards; radio stations are celebrating his birthday and asking listeners to call in with their wishes.

But the person closest to the man says stardom has not changed his brother.  

"The sportsman in him has always helped him keep his head on his shoulders. The ills of a super-star status has, thankfully, bypassed him," says Snehasish, Sourav's elder brother. 

"He has remained the same old guy, who loves to freak out with friends and family despite cricket and stardom claiming so much of his time and energy," says Snehasish, who has watched his brother blossom from a club cricketer to India's captain.

And on the road to success, his brother says, Sourav's main weapon is his strong mental make-up.  

"It's his mental discipline and strength that has taken him where he is today.

Mental toughness is Maharaj's (Ganguly's nickname) area of strength.       

"He may have seemed subdued at times because of the media glare and the constant pressure to perform, but he has survived because of this quality that allows him to take pressure," says Snehasish, himself a first class cricketer for Bengal. 

He feels Ganguly "matured tremendously" after becoming the captain. 

"Since 1999, when he became the captain, Maharaj has matured tremendously. He has become a tough nut to crack."

Snehasish has been something of a radar in Sourav's cricket life, chipping in with valuable advice on his younger brother's game to give it correct direction.  

"At times I do point out some of his faults. When you bat, you are not aware of the mistakes that you are making. However, if a cricketer watches you from outside he will be able to pinpoint the mistakes that you commit.

"We discuss these faults and I pass on my tips to him. But I do it very subtly as Sourav is playing at the very highest level," Snehasish remarks.

The elder brother has also a thing or two to say about Ganguly as a brother, a father, a son and a friend.

"This is probably the first time he is enjoying Sana's (daughter) company. He is a very loving father, but he hardly gets the time.

"Again, as a son, a brother and a friend, it's when he gets time that he discharges all these roles perfectly. He likes to go out with his friends whenever he gets a chance, which is not often," comments Snehasish.

Ganguly and the rest of the Indian team are currently enjoying a rare three-month break from cricket after the World Cup. The skipper took a brief vacation and took his father to London to treat an ailment.

However, despite the hype and hoopla surrounding his birthday, Ganguly is unmoved and says he is too old to celebrate the day.

"It's the turn of my daughter to celebrate birthdays, not me," he says.

But, the greetings have been pouring in--from friends, relatives, fans and dozens of schoolchildren.  

Ganguly has no grand plans for the day. Just a party at night with a handful of old pals and family. And he is not even missing the day's practice session.