Mere Pass RajMaa Hai!


“Tujhe sab hai pataaa…….meri maa”, as the poignant song played on the FM, it touched chords deep inside that I forgot existed. My weary eyes were moist with many a memory and slowly the floodgates opened as the tears traced their salty path along my red cheeks. It was Mother’s Day and the careful selection of heart wrenching numbers played an ode to God’s most magnificent creation, only glorified second best by Bollywood. It was having the desired effect on my emotional equilibrium; I picked up the phone and dialed the all too familiar number. ‘English thumke,dil ki rhythm pe, Maare jamm jamm ke, Desi Boyz’, the caller tune rang blissfully, unaware of what I felt or what I was to say.

“Hello Maa, it’s me. How are you?”

“All ok? How come you called?”

“Nothing Maa, just thought we’d catch up. It’s been long…..” my voice trailed off

“You broke? You need money?” she asked almost sternly.

“No, no Maa, I’m fine”, my tone was that of a child who'd just been reprimanded. “Just that it’s Mother’s Day so thought we could do a lunch together. Just the two of us, spend some quality time.”

“And waste what I already cooked? Do you know chicken is 110 Rs a kg and Rajma is 80 Rs a kg? You think money grows on trees? You couldn’t call earlier, I would not have cooked.” By suggesting wastage I had committed sacrilege and could not retrace my steps.

“But they played that song now…..” I said aloud and then lived to regret it.

“Huh? What song? Have you been drinking again?” She never stopped doubting me on that one and I have no clue why!

“Noooooo Maa” I said, trying to change the topic, “Ok how about dinner then?”

“The watchman just informed me that there won’t be any water supply for the next two days. So I need to stock up when he pumps in the water for today at about 7.30 pm. So dinner is definitely not happening. Can you believe the state of this city? Gone to the dogs I tell you”.

“Accha, so how about a quick coffee then?” I said, trying very hard to accommodate myself in her social calendar.

“Are you trying to kill me? You know my sugar levels have gone up. What has gotten into you?” She was about to get into her ACP Pradyuman ‘case solving skills’ mode when I intervened her thought process.

“It’s Mother’s Day Maa!” Now I was as exasperated as she was. This was just not going the way the FM RJ had intended.

“Another Bank holiday? When do people work here? I needed to withdraw some money.”

“No Maa, I said correcting her (and feeling so darn good about it) it is not a bank holiday and FYI you can withdraw money from an ATM anytime.”

“For my eyes? Nothing is wrong with my eyes” she said, stating matter of fact. “I don’t understand that plastic money business. How do you know you’ve spent something if you haven’t spent anything? That is the problem of this generation. You people want everything at the press of a button. Food, job, services, information, mother, life partner even children for Chrissake! If labour came with conditions applied in our times, the human race would not have lived to speculate on the world ending in 2012. Ok, I need to hang up now, my chicken is turning into coal and the rajma into porridge. Call me when I am not busy!"


“Click”


“Happy Mother’s Day Mom! Thank God and YOU for making me Emotional Atyachaar proof.”

Great write-up guys! Remember, you have to share a learning, conversation and/or an incident, of around 300 words.

I was getting late. The bus driver had scowled and told me to be on time. Maa, had been taking a longer time than usual.

Me: Maa, deri hocche! (Maa, it's getting late!)

Maa: Dara shona, dui minute! (Wait my dear, coming in two minutes)

"I snarled. When will Maa understand the deliquescent nature of my work! I am not her darling little girl anymore. I have a boss to answer. She just does not understand!
This is not the first time! She always keeps calling me from the back, making me sip coconut water or chai, eating marie biscuits or toasts.
If I am hungry, I'll eat! Why does she have to make a scene all the time!"

I begin to leave, just like every other day. But it isn't like any other ordinary day.

I sighed as I came back to my senses. Maa had passed away two days back, peacefully in her sleep.I'd been out for work, while she'd probably expected me to be there, holding her hand. She'd always taken care of me, but I could not. Now she won't be running behind me to grab a bite before I leave or come scurrying down the stairs when I come back. As I lock the door, I miss the scent of the incense sticks she light early morning and her sweet humming. You were right Maa, I never grew up. I wish I never grew up, for I remembered being everything; everything else except your little daughter. Will she ever forgive me?
She will, I think, for she had a heart of gold. A mother's heart.

The sun rose up bringing brightness all around. My mom woke up along with him, to make sure everything was in place for everyone. This was the busiest part of the day for her. She had to make sure to cook food, then wake up my dad, get everything ready for him. Then wake up my brother, get everything ready for him, as my dad leaves and then wake me up as my brother leaves. There wasn't rest for her, until all of us left to our Office, College and School.

I was just 6 then, and hence I used to come early. That day my mom took me out to grocery shopping with her. She had never ever taken me to do that, and I was really excited. We went to a nearby bazaar and were buying all the stuff. That time I saw a small red box, which is usually used to keep kumkum and all. I asked my mom to get it for me, but she didn't. I begged her and started crying, but she asked me to be quiet and told me that it was a waste of money.

But, my desire to have it didn't leave. Hence, I went and took it without permission and put it in my pocket. I didn't tell anyone about it. We finished our shopping and went back right home. When my mom was removing my sweater, she found that I had something in my pocket and she saw that it was the red box.

She knew I had stolen it, but she didn't hit me or scold me. She just put my sweater back on, got ready and took me right back to the store. Once there, she kept the box in my hand, and said, "Taking something without someone's permission is bad. Wouldn't you feel bad if someone took your toys and left? This is that uncle's toy. See he is so sad".

I looked at the uncle, he was sad. I felt really bad. I wouldn't like it if someone took my toys and left. I went to him, and held his hand, which made him look down at me. He saw me, smiled and asked, "What do you want putty?"

I held out the my hand, and showed him the box. He asked, "You wan't this box, eh?"
I shook my head and said, "Uncle I took your toy without permission. I'm really sorry, I won't do it again. Please don't be sad".

At that time, he looked up at my mom, and understood everything. He smiled and said, Its okay dear. Good that you told me, see now I'm not sad. Now, for being such a good girl and accepting your mistake, you can have my toy".

I looked at my mom, she smiled but she didn't tell me if I should take it or not. She wanted me to make the choice. She wanted to know, what I will do. I looked at the box in my hand, it was very appealing to me. I wanted to have it badly.

I stared at it for 5 minutes, then held out my hand and gave the box to the uncle saying, "Uncle, this is your toy, I can't take it. Please take it".

He was shocked, he had never expected to hear this. I looked at my mom, she was happy. I had made the right choice. I ran back to her and she picked me up giving me a tight hug.

She planted a soft kiss on my cheek and brought me back home. She was really proud of me and hence pampered me with nice food.

Next morning when I woke up, and went to brush my teeth, I saw the red box there. I took it in my hand and ran to my mom, she smiled at me and said, "That's for being a good girl".

That's the way my mom is, that is how she brought me up. She never scolded me or hit me, but always taught me with love and care. I just want to look after her the same way when she gets old, and more than anything, I want my kids to grow up in the same way. The same way my mom brought me up.

I love you mom, for being the sweetest and the most inspirational person on earth.
You are the best <3

Here is what I want to say:

She is the one!!

It’s difficult to actually describe her in words
As dedicated as a teacher and as independent as birds
From morning to noon and noon to night
she has taken care of all our fights!


From the day I was born to the day I will live
She has always followed the philosophy of ‘Give’
Never has she desired anything other than joy
even those, solely for her girl and her boy.

Her wants and desires were last and the least..
all her prayers centered on protecting us from the beast.
All our sorrows always evaporated, and we did not where
we even didn’t know that they were deposited in her share.

We are her stars, we are her life
she even considered mother above 'The Wife'.
to see a smile on whose faces she worked day and night
balancing those spectacles and her week eye sight

When I studied in the night ,I wasn’t alone ever
there was always that hand guiding me forever
happy for my success and sad when I failed
she never showed her tears but alone she wailed.

The woman who requires a special mention of praise
those silent eyes, peaceful mind and loving gaze
This is to the woman I love, admire and respect
whose dedication even the almighty cant suspect
to the world she may be just another,
but to me she is the one I call MY MOTHER!!!

I have learned all this and much more from mother. The most important keeping your children as per your first priority but balance your professional growth with it. I hope that I am able to do the same for my children one day :)