Salute to Mothers

Mother’s Day is here again!! So what you may ask. As a mother, it feels good to be recognized for the mundane tasks that are part of my life. What is different about this year? The kind of focus women is getting.

Every year newspaper would be filled with interviews with celebrity moms and moms of celebrities. Of course there are those ads of special gifts vouchers and promotional offers. This year these are also present. But ordinary moms also got a special mention.

Special focus is on the moms who stood behind not-so-famous achievers like the daughter of a domestic help who topped 10^th standard board exams, or the mom and daughter duo who passed their SSLC together or the mother of a blind IAS topper. There is also open discussion on single, unwed mothers and some who are mothers of gays – topics which weren’t so openly discussed before. It is quite heartening to know that such women are coming forward to speak about their lives without hiding their identity.

Celebration of womanhood has become latest fad. But somehow it seems incomplete and on the surface without the support system of laws, regulations and government policies. It is good that at least two days a year are reserved for women – Women’s day and Mother’s day. But then other than special features in print and media what use are the celebrations?

Bills on women issues are left on the table at the parliament, archaic laws which were made years ago are yet to change, security issues of now increasing women work force are yet to be tackled, and scores of women caught in the crossfire of tradition and identity-crisis are yet to be liberalized. Life of a woman hasn’t changed much in decades. It has in fact worsened in some war torn countries.

I wish there were features about such courageous and suppressed women. Women who defied tradition and stood up for their values, women behind purdah bringing about a silent revolution, women who formed self-help groups to not only help themselves but also other underprivileged. I wish the focus is on less fortunate women who are not able to break the shackles that surround them and those who are struggling to let their voices be heard.

I congratulate the achievers. But my heart is with those who are silently fighting their own battles at home, with those whose undying spirit might not have given them freedom but paved the way for a brighter future for their children, with those who died in the crossfire various battles, with those whose voice has been suppressed. 

I salute the mothers of various victims who are fighting legal battles against all odds for the injustice done to their children. And my special wishes to the would-be mothers who have the ability to shape the future of their unborn children.