Salute to single mothers

Saw “Paa” last week and was crying throughout the movie much to the embarrassment of my sister , who was wondering what is there to cry about(and yes she is used to it now as I almost cry in every other movie ;)) . My heart moved for Vidhya and her flight as a single mom (I know it’s fictitious but then too). It’s difficult to be a single mom that too single mom by choice in a country like India. I was amazed by Arundhati Nag’s (Who played her mother in movie) support to her daughter’s decision especially when Vidhya herself was apprehensive whether she should have baby or not considering society’ s reactions and hardships of raising a child alone. Her mother’s answer (who was also a single mother though not by choice) was simple “If I can raise you alone without anybody’s supports then you have at least me”.

That reminds me of somebody who is considered as an icon of strength in my family. Her name is also Vidhya. Her father was a officer in British rule and she lost her mother when she was a child. She got married to an Officer with roadways at a very young age (16 I suppose) and was blessed with 3 sons. Tragedy struck when her eldest son was diagnosed with polio (polio elimination was not such a widespread campaign that time). Her husband expired when she was not even thirty and soon after that her youngest son was diagnosed with kidney failure. There she was , someone who was not as educated as girls are today at the time when working for women was still a taboo(compared to today’s scenario when we have so many privileges right from our education to working not just different cities but countries and choosing a life partner of our choice) without any financial or emotional support . She, who till now was living a lavish life shifted to a leased house with husband’s pension as only support. But she neither cried nor cribbed simply because she cannot afford to do so with three children to take care of. Her children are well settled now and she has grown old. Now when we, her grandchildren ask her the question that how she managed it all she simply replies” You get the strength by seeing your child and I have three. I had three times the strength”.

So, that was a story of a single mom (without choice) in a world with fewer resources but now when an increasing number of women are opting for being a single mother by choice (Thanks to the career Vs. Biological clock) I think we should respect their decision for the same. They are strong enough to raise a child alone without a husband’s support with grace so lets them give the applause they deserve.