It is a known fact that an educated mother is a boon to a family. Many of our national programs are centered around getting our girl children adequately educated. An educated mother was thought to raise healthier, educated children who could become the pillars of a better society. In recent years, Geneticists are discovering that children inherit the intelligence of their mother – not their father’s. Now, don’t jump to conclusions, an illiterate mother may be quite intelligent. Or even wiser than an educated mother. But a literate mother is generally more ‘worldly’ wise and knowledgeable. She can give better home care to a sick child, can ensure that the child gets the routine vaccines and appropriate education. Even a child born with average intelligence learns life skills better if the mother is educated.
MOTHER’S TEACHINGS. Apart from intelligence passed in the genes, a mother teaches many a thing when the infant can barely speak. A child learns from the speech and behavior of the mother. Empathy, kindness, listening skills, self-care, the dignity of labor, and many more habits can be imbibed from the mother in the first five years of life itself. These build the child’s character at an early stage. Later, classmates and friends may bring about negative influences, especially during the difficult teenage years. It is then the role of a firm father becomes increasingly important. During these years, the mother acts as a buffer between the two, always having the wellbeing of the child in mind. The teenager who experiments with danger and rebellion is lovingly guided back to societal norms by a wise mother.
A tribute to all the mothers who are extra-special and brave. Some of these mothers called Veer Naris are those whose husbands have been martyred. A select band of these mothers chose to study and train themselves to become army officers and are now serving the army, in addition to bringing up their children. Bravo!
Ahead are a few short stories and views about Mothers.
The first one is obviously mine! Bringing up a large family and I being one of the youngest, there was very little ‘me time’ for me as my youngest brother was born when I was just three years old. When I was 11 years old, I was sent to a hostel for ‘expensive and better schooling’. Medical studies were also done in a hostel and thereafter I joined the army. Holidays and annual leave were the only period of time spent with my parents. I wish to narrate one particular incident. I was in my 40s at my parents’ home, with my two daughters and wife. In the backyard of our house was a huge Chiku (Sapota/Mud apple) tree. My mother asked me to climb the tree and pluck chikus for my daughters. I told her that the only chikus left on the tree were on the terminal thin and fragile branches. These were liable to break, so I wouldn’t like to take a chance. Without a word, in a few minutes, my 70 years old mother was atop the tree merrily picking up chikus. I was guilt-stricken, silent. At night, I reflected on the incident by which my mother had taught me three important lessons. One, never tell anyone to do something which you can’t do yourself. Two, if you have faith to do the right thing, be brave and do it anyway. Three, don’t belittle a person who couldn’t do something which you expected him/ her to do. I always thought that I was more educated and intelligent than my mother, but, apparently, she was much wiser than me.
The second account is from JYOTSNA PALAI – Strong. Loving. Caring. Reliable. Family first. Fair. These are the first words that come to my mind when I think of my mum. Each of these qualities has shaped me and has made me what I am today. She has taught me to stay strong and forge ahead with my beliefs as long as they are fair and just. I have imbibed her family-first attitude in each and every action that I take in my everyday life. But I think I still fall short in the caring and reliability department! I may be 40 plus now, I may have become a mom myself, but I talk to her regularly because her opinions and views are full of maturity and wisdom that I sometimes lack. This way I too mature and gain wisdom. It makes me a more complete human being. Lots of love mum and a happy mother’s day to all mums!
The third one is from MALINI – MAA. The first word most of us learn to speak. In later years, it becomes a synonym of unconditional love, strength, support, and childhood nostalgia. Maa had her own struggles but to me and my younger brother she always said, “You don’t worry or be scared, I am with you”. Widowed in her early thirties, she brushed aside social taboos to write another chapter of happiness for herself with a new hero. She would often tell us to not cry over what was or could have been if their father was alive. To take the good and the bright memories of the past to make the future as shiny as we can. She never stopped being loving to all, including those who were uncharitable to her. Her warmth even spread to the circle of friends my brother and I made. Even now, she can have a meaningful, yet cheerful conversation with anyone – a toddler or a senior citizen. I remember her first international flight and that too solo. It was 18 hours long with two stopovers. But she was confident to travel alone, however tiring it was for her mind and body. A lot of her confidence has rubbed on to us. She somehow is able to find her way out of any tricky situation with poise. Open up deadlocked deals, welcoming new experiences with her characteristic, infectious smile. She always blesses us with just two words – Be happy.
The fourth account is from ANISHA – I am seen as an honest, humble, passionate, hardworking person who doesn’t give up. I have got all of these qualities from my mother. As I look back, I can see myself as her reflection in so many ways. Even today, in her late sixties, she doesn’t stop to inspire us. Qualities like doing little things with her own hand and never giving up on life are, are the ones I think I largely inherited. Keeping your family at the center of your thought & actions is something that I too try to pursue. Sacrificing a fancy corporate career for my husband and children and yet never sitting idle at home is what I learned from her, a doctor. I did, venture into new horizons where my family had not been when I set up my own Art business (ANI D OF MAGIC FINGERS) as an untrained artist and inexperienced business person. All this while, giving my twin daughters all the time they required. My father, an army officer, was busy defending the nation on different borders at different times. Managing an absentee husband’s home, all by herself, was what I saw my mother doing in my childhood. My husband is also an army officer and I just try to do what my mother did to keep the family boat sailing smoothly. I would have never been able to be a strong woman had it not been for my mother. She always stood behind us like the rock of Gibraltar. Not just for us, but also for the families of her younger brother and sisters. She is my iron-willed yet velvet soft-hearted Maa.
Mothers are God’s special creation.
My salutations to all Mothers of the universe. My prayers for them to stay safe in these special, testing times of our Mother earth. May God bless them.
Maj Gen Krishan Chauhan is a second-generation army officer. He studied in Sainik School Kapurthala, graduated from IG Medical College, Shimla and did his MD from AFMC/Pune University. He has served in the Army Medical Corps for 36 years and retired as the Addl DGMS army. He is an avid marathon runner and a writer. He first wrote articles for children in The Young Chronicles. Later, he started writing his own blog as Genkris, on WordPress where over 25 articles on various subjects can be accessed.
