SME WORLD

*Millennium City in Shambles*

The story of utter neglect and dilapidation of Gurugram, home to world’s leading brands continues with no respite even as politicians reappear with no shame folding hands to seek mandate.

My Mother’s Day of Yore

When we were growing up, we hadn’t heard of Mother’s Day nor was there a need to celebrate Mother’s or Father’s day. All the days were spent under the imposing yet loving care of our parents. We didn’t know if there was any need to express our affection to our creators. Everything revolved around our parents and friends.

We would spend the day playing all those rugged games with friends in lanes and by-lanes near our homes and would religiously come back home like faithful cows well before our fathers reached home.

Love for mother and father was natural. A dialogue with father was rare. Mother would always take our side in the event of any unpleasant situation. She would scold us in a mock display of anger to make our father cool down.

I fondly remember how my mother used to be the last to retire to bed after making round of our rooms ensuring that we are properly tucked under the quilt in the winters.

It was a ritual for her to wake up in the wee hours to cook and pack food for us. In our hearts, we knew she would eat only after seeing us off to school.

We learnt from our mother what respect is. She would often scold us if we forgot to address our old maid as 'Mausi'. “She is our elder.” Years later, when I was getting ready to leave for a trip overseas, I went to her to seek her blessings. She reached out for her small purse and took out a 100 Rupee note, “This is for you and take care that you eat in time and eat well.” She sent me off all smiles as she tried to hold back her tears.

I keep wondering if I could ever gauge the emotional bonding she had with her children. The Jews live by the phrase: 'God could not be everywhere, and therefore He made mothers.' The 19th century congregationalist, clergyman and social reformer Henry Beecher thus truly remarked: “The mother's heart is the child's classroom.” At least, I don't need a Mother's Day. I lived it for years.