A Happy Mother's Day - Dedication to all Mothers

In the current times, we have all been tested to our limits. It's almost akin to being thrown under a bus and then being asked to drive that same bus home.

If you are a working professional actively working from home, managing housework, and also taking care of family members, then more power to you. 

This was the stuff that nightmares were made off in bygone times, but today it's a harsh reality.

Battling the virtual meetings, with the phone in one hand and wielding the chapati rolling pin in the other, we have definitely armed ourselves with a Ph.D. in multitasking skills within a short period.

At the same time, we have been forced to introspect, dip into our inner reserves of energies, and find ways and means to deal with these unprecedented challenges. Each of us, in our own unique ways, is tackling the inner demons along with fighting the faceless universal evil out there.

Why am I ranting about it today when so much has been said and fumed by many already?

Well, amidst all this chaos and uncertainty, when all of us are seeking solutions or answers from experts out there, we have one superhuman living right among us. A superhuman who has all those qualities that the specialists are urging us to cultivate; that will help us to accept the new normal courageously and without any complaints. And that person deserves attention today more than ever.

Today is Mother's Day, my friends. And the superhuman is none other than our dear mom. 

Hard-working and Energetic – Have you seen your mom ever sitting down after a hard day's work and complaining. "Oh, I have had enough; now I need a break." Or "I can't take this anymore. You guys manage; I am going to lie down now".

Not my mom or mother in law for sure. Despite their frail frame, they are always on their feet from dawn to dusk, unfailingly toiling away as if they have access to the "Akshay Patra of Energy." It's incredible that at their age, they are more agile than any of us who are almost half their age. Sometimes, I wonder what secret sauce they have been cooking their food with all these years.

Self-sacrificing - No one can come close to being defined as self-sacrificing more precisely than our mothers. Whether it's their choices, their likes, or ideas, they will always put our interests first and their last. Period!

Unconditional Love and support – When everyone in professional circles is talking about the importance of collaborating, teamwork, supporting each other, and having each other's back in the current crisis, mothers literally can teach us a lot beyond all these ornate words. They are our strong pillars who not only support us, help us, provide us all comforts but also do not expect anything from us, unlike professional relationships. They will do it wholly and unconditionally and, more often than not, bend over backward even when their backs hurt.

Resourceful – In these tough times, we don't know what the future holds for us in terms of jobs, business, health, safety, and even existence. We have been forced to think creatively, find opportunities in stressful situations, and to keep a positive outlook. When I think about it, haven't our moms been doing that forever. Always ingenious, finding alternatives for scarce resources, finding a quick-fix for seemingly complex problems, and many a time even converting your potential recipe disaster into a lip-smacking dish.

Proactive and disciplined – Despite having a grueling day, the next morning, they will wake up at the appointed time, get back on their tired and old feet, and gently amble into the daily grind, keeping all excuses at bay. Ready to face a new day with the same vigor, they will foresee any potential lags and delays and, like a real professional tick all boxes in their packed daily schedule. They will stick to the required timelines and will not pause until the task is done. Also, they have an innate sense to sniff out any shortage, problem, and take timely preemptive action.

Nurturing and empathetic – Even after all this, they will always be ready to give a kind ear to all your woes and complaints unfailingly without missing each and every word you say. After all these years, they are still keen to know from you how your day has been, listen genuinely, and allow you to share your problems so that you feel lighter. How many people in our life are sincerely concerned about our well-being? Well, we can probably count them on our finger-tips.

These and many more qualities we need to imbibe from our mothers not just today but forever. I am sure my feelings above resonate with most of you. So much to learn from these superhumans whose value we take for granted. We as their children cannot thank them enough for all that they do for us, consistently and steadfastly. This is a dedication to my mom and mother-in-law, for simply being the superhumans they are, and also for showcasing their humane qualities with such humility and grace.

Happy Mother's Day – Aai and Mummy

Just another day - March 8th

And then there is March 8^th celebrated as ‘International Woman’s day’ around the world.

A day like any other day except that it’s inundated with SMSs, FB wall posts, and clichéd mail forwards.

E-Greetings, advertisement offers, special promotions, discounts are a real tease,

All of which are dedicated to my fraternity, who in their (including mine)moment of weakness become gullible and fall prey to these.

Beginning with RJ’s in their morning shows to evening TV anchors and their staged interviews,

Promos of jewellery and sarees, cosmetics to shoes of all sizes and hues,

Covering front page headlines to back page colourful news,

Women car rallies and marathon runs on this day are quite a few, at finishing line are scribes flippantly probing the feminine point of view.

There is a wide display of brouhaha, hedonism and indulgence in store for our ilk ….supposedly giving credit where’s it long over due.

Replace the garb of Woman’s day with that of Valentines or any festival day and there you are….

Same ol’ offers, discounts, promos and freebies will continue their run albeit in a different avatar.

It’s just lip service is what I feel and pretense that won’t take us very far  

Today is March 9^th and lo and behold…what have we got here,

Already are forgotten, promises that were made yesterday and so is our star.

So let not be just one day be remembered as our day in the years to come.

Surely the other 364 days we will celebrate, as so much is yet to be undone.

Required is change in mind set, biased culture and deep rooted point of view,

It’s the woman, mother, daughter, sister, wife alone who has the power within to make that difference to herself and build her life anew

And no one can else and truly no one else can deny her that, if she really wants it too.

Here’s wishing all the super fabulous ladies who have touched my life a happy woman’s day….

Today and every day! :)

Sister's Garnish

Many moons back, I was asked, "What special gift would you like for your wedding from your dear sister?"

At that time, even though I was not so young a bride, my cooking skills were still a disaster.

Without much ado, I replied to her, "You could write me a book of your favorite recipes, my dear sister. And thus unravel the mystery of cumin seeds, star anise, fenugreek, green chilies, and coriander.''

 

So was born the idea of 'Sister's garnish,' a book wherein all the lip-smacking gourmet delights would lie.

With this little black book added to my might, I was confident that my culinary future was going to be indeed bright.

 

In my younger days, the kitchen was never really my playground, forte, or battleground for any gourmet foray.

I would enter the arena when all the heavy lifting was done, sit in front of a laid table, and make comments or compliments pay!

 

My sister was a faithful ally for my Aai in the kitchen in those days, and I was happy about it during those carefree days.

This allowed me enough freedom to go out, have fun, and do so without a fuss, saunter, and play.

 

When it was time for me to come back home from play and inevitably, I would be late.

My sis would longingly wait for me, look out for me in vain, and that would make her infuriate.

I was meant to do many things, and I didn't do as the younger sister; she would hate,

With sweet words, hugs, and kisses, I would melt my sister's ire like sugar, jaggery, figs, and dates.

She was and will remain, my confidante, friend, adviser, guide, soothsayer, and devil's advocate.

Her actions and kind deeds would remind me that Priya, you have a lot to learn, my mate!

Such was my life so sheltered by my sister's shadow.

I could get away with almost all, but not my mom and dad's not so friendly banter.

In a way, they would remind me that one day I will have to figure out my way around the pots, pans, spoons, and hot decanters.

 

My relationship with my sister was indeed like Indian garam masala fare.

Sweet, sour, peppery, pungent, and sometimes too hot to bear.

But at the end of it all, it always felt like an enticing aroma that enveloped all the five senses in a warm fuzzy embrace as it went wafting through the air.

 

Her sartorial and creative tastes I would entirely depend upon, even if they were handed me downs, I would not bother and willingly sample.

She was my fashion guru, and I was a willing disciple, I would ape and follow her fashions in her clogs, platforms, or sandals.

 

There were many times when I made some silly mistakes, blunders, and gaffes in my young days.

And then she would invariably bail me out, take my side, stand by me like a rock in many ways!

 

So I say my dear friends that all those loving, sweet memories of long ago still linger in my mind like it happened yesterday.

My sister being in my life makes it whole, warm, and complete, just like a little garnish on a mouth-watering dish, goes a long way.