With three noisy sons scampering around the house with never
ending energy to drive anyone crazy, it must have been a harrowing time for
her. To raise three sons just a year apart who could conjure ways to indulge in
all pranks, fight, create ruckus must have been a daunting task. Still she
never lost her cool or patience. When I look back, I realize how much of time
she devoted in raising us and for having made gentlemen out of little devils.
Since we had no sister at home, she ensured that we did not turn into men who
do not respect the women later in our lives. She would get us occupied with
things that were never considered to be a boys domain. We played Cricket,
Football and also ‘Pittho’ with the neighboring girls. When tired and filthy
after returning home, she would involve us in chores like peeling boiled
potatoes, chopping lady fingers to assist her in cooking. It was these small
things that taught all of us the basics of cooking. We did make many mistakes,
sometimes hurt ourselves but she stood by our side and explained with patience
how to do things correctly. As we belonged to a middle class family, our parents
ensured that we get the best of education and sent us to good schools. To earn
the extra income she travelled by bus each day to a school away from our house.
She never failed to feed us well in the morning and packing scrumptious lunch
box every day.
During the vacations she would spend time with us to teach small
things like tidying up the house, serving guests, and praised us in front of
the others so that the self-esteem never took a knock. By the time we reached
our teens we had pretty much learnt to be self-sufficient in terms of going to schools
located at other end of the city in public transport, and maintaining our
uniforms. Small lessons in stitching to mend our shirt buttons, stitch a hook
on the pants when it came off, has served all of us well.
Mother was an excellent
cook and would make all sweets and savories at home. She made pickles during
the changing seasons with mangoes, lemons, carrots, and cauliflower. We would
just gather around and watch her intently to learn the small tricks to preserve
these.
She never allowed any unruly behavior and we did get smacked for
misdemeanors but it was just being corrective.
It is said that as god could not be everywhere he created
mothers. She was a friend, philosopher and guide. She would read the scriptures
and narrate stories from the epic’ Ramayana and Mahabharata. She stitched our clothes
on festivals and purchased story books to get us interested in reading. I got a
princely sum of Rs 3/ every month to buy an Enid Blyton which I still have kept
as a treasure and passed on to my daughter. It would not be an understatement
to thank mother for what I am today and for teaching me lessons on
self-reliance which have served me well in life!
PS: This post is my entry for the Godrej/Indiblogger sponsored
contest ’ My First Expert’ http://godrejexpert.com/single_used_pack.php
A strong woman is the foundation of a happy family :-)
ReplyDeleteWell said, Purba! Agree:)
DeleteFond memories there Rahul....Mothers of previous generations were born experts weren't they ? When they had no Google or pinterest to give them parenting tips :D
ReplyDeleteHa ha... true, Jaishree:)
DeleteRaising three sons with that less of a age difference - hats off to her. After reading this, I feel she was a very intelligent lady. Parents rarely spent on book those days. I really like this - praised us in front of the others so that the self-esteem never took a knock. Most Indian parents either exaggerate or scold their kids in front of others.
ReplyDeleteA heart warming read, Sir. She must be very proud of her sons.
Thank you Saru for that nice comment! We were lucky :)
ReplyDeleteI have difficulty handling my neighbor's daughter alone when she is here...in fact including Saru and that kids' mother...i can only imagine how your mother would have handled 3 of you.
ReplyDeleteBut then she is a Mother, after all...another God!
Ha ha... So you are getting practice at home! Thanks for reading
ReplyDeleteYes, you can say that :)
DeleteA lovely tribute to your mother, Rahul. I like the way she involved you and your brothers in peeling potatoes and chopping lady's fingers. She brought you three very well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachna! Those lessons served me well in life:)
Deletewe were three brats too, don't know how my mum brought us all :D Loved reading your post :) And the collection of Enid Blyton is going to be a treasure :)
ReplyDeleteParents had a lot of patience then! Thanks Rajlakshmi!
DeleteA heartfelt tribute as you walk down the memory lane with your mother Rahul.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Alka!
DeleteI loved reading about your mother, Rahul. No wonder you have turned out such a gentleman. So many things to learn here as I have two sons. The elder one has started chipping into cooking chores these days. :) This was a beautiful read.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Rachna! This post was shared as most of the families in India like to give a special treatment to sons! The lessons served in childhood have stood the test of time for me. As a mother of two bright sons, you have realized the importance of involving sons in domestic chores will surely lay strong foundations in times to come, and your children will thank you for this:)
DeleteThis was such a lovely read Sir. I can say your mother ensured that she made the best of all three of you. Teaching to peel potatoes, ensuring you played with the neighboring girls, stitching for your use and those books... wow definitely she was your first expert!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Manjulika for liking my personal story:)
ReplyDeleteThis was Amazing! Beautifully written :)
ReplyDeleteI love reading your posts Mr. Bhatia :) There is always something to learn :)
Thanks a lot Radhika and feels equally good to see you here:)
DeleteCould'nt agree more Ashwini! Thank you for reading!
ReplyDelete