Sunday, June 1, 2014

The Story Of A Working Mother

I was 16 when I got onto a train with my Ma from Jamshedpur to Pune.I was born and raised in a city. Where every third house had a friend, or a friends friend or family. I lived in a city where, riding a two wheeler was limited for girls post 8 pm and most of us learnt to ride making sure no passing boy on a bike can access your breasts. We infact mastered the art of walking with eyes on the back so people could not smack your butt on the road as you walked home. Having said all that, it remains the warmest and safest place ever.

When I started staying alone in Pune I was 17, dint feel sure about walking alone, dint know how to shake hands with a guy, learnt the meaning of many abuses after having them hurled at myself by roomies, made friends who tool me to the hospital when I was sick and some who stole money and belongings.Yet, I maintain this city has made me everything I am today,i came here to get my qualifications but,i got a learning.i became who I am today,has taken this city 13 years to make me this way, and I am proud and humbled by every bit of who I am.

I am a 31 year old mother, daughter and wife.These three roles define who I am.These three roles make me chose the life I lead. I would never want to sound like a woman who wakes up at 6:30 and lets her back down after 17 hours, there are millions like me out there. I travel hours a day and then spend another 8 in office dealing tempers, egos and demands, just like so many of you.But when I get back home, I cant carry any of that with me, I am a mothers and mothers don't get tired, they work..in silent, sometimes obvious ways, they are planning dinner, thinking of paying bills, contemplating on opening a bank account instead of buying gold..etc etc.I am the happy cheerful loving wife who welcomes her man back home and quickly goes in the kitchen to whip up tea and something to munch one.I continue in there till the daughters dinner is cooked and our menu is dictated to the cook.Here again I am among, those many luck people who have maids and cooks to do some jobs.

I would  like to think I pretty much manage to strike a decent balance,  not because, I have help and aid but because I love this life. It thrills me to speak to a group of people on the national budget, its endearing to hear people admire my knowledge of the local government issues, its an honor to get an opportunity to meet heads of states and countries. And I come back home happier content satisfied that the sacrifice my parents made, I might just have made them a little proud.I come home knowing there is a man with whom I share my hopes and ambitions,i come home to get the love of a child who will acknowledge the battle I fight every day and come out victorious.

I wish hope and pray we continue creating a world where every child is proud of its parents, where every woman is empowered to work, to create her own identity and be proud of it.

17 comments:

sulagna said...

This comes at 2 in the morning, I am sure you all will be kind enough to ignore the typos pls.thanks!

sulagna said...

I stand corrected. Its 3.

Anonymous said...

its been a long time since i last read ur blog...dis time around i see a changed sulagna...a. responsible mom n a gud wife...im sure gopal wudnt have got a better wife other then u....whether v meet or not again in life....here's wishing u all the happiness, love n success..in short..im happy for u...tc asad.really miss pune...no place like it at all...

sulagna said...

Asad :) I guess thats what old friends are for, they show you the mirror. What you wrote, means ao much more than just a comment.i am happy on managing to stay the same old Sulagna, maybe a little more evolved. Pune memories, office days will always be special cuz we guys had an awesome team
Thanks a lot asad! Love to your two leading ladies

Wicked Witch of the West said...

Very nice post...and very nice way of balancing - I know how tough it can be, proud of you and not at all surprised either :)

Jaibala Rao said...

Really nice post. Considering all the hate spewing againt working mothers lately you have put this really well. Thank you for writing this and I am proud of you from one woman to another :)

sulagna said...

WWW..its always reassuring when old friends turn up and say"you are doing good " thanks love..love to my two beasties

sulagna said...

Jaibala ..really :) thank you so much , means a lot to find such confirming words from other women. I know i have chosen this for self, but i love this balancing act and so do others, hence the pride and confidence in speaking for it ..right ?

Jaibala Rao said...

Exactly. Be proud very proud. Believe me when I say this I look up to you, and every other woman who takes pride in her choices and exudes confidence in herself and her life. Glad to know you :)

JANU said...

That was a case of sour grapes...laugh off the ignorance of people. Nice post Sulagna. We have a saying in Kannada which roughly translates to - jiske paas channe hai khane ko, unke paas daant nahi hai chabane ko.

sulagna said...

heheheh Janu, that was a good one !! i can almost imagine..almost imagined i.

Thanks a ton for sharing my concern, its good to see that a woman is a woman's greatest strength

Red Handed said...

My mother is a working woman too. I know how hard it is but I am sure she wouldnt want it any other way.
Proud of you!

rumela said...

I'm first time here, love your space.. !! I know, how hard it is to balance the both sides, when a mom has full-time job! and you are doing great! keep going on..

Gorgeous Glam said...

What a beautiful writer you are dear! loved your story! Thanks for the sweet comment too, hope you come by again. xo- Taj

Lady Whispers said...

So beautifully said :)
I can relate to a bit and I wish someday I relate to that happy mother thing :)
Born and raised in delhi and yet I could relate to those 8 am deadline and buts not spanked...sigh

But experiences make whom I am...when I speak in front of young enthusiasts I feel proud to know they taking off something and become more proud when they admire me for all that my grey cells have ...and I can so relate to what you said :)

Making family proud is all we seek...

And when there are mothers and wives like you its so nice :))

Be happy always :))

SG said...

Your parents, your husband, your daughter and we are proud of you. You are what the Tamil poet Subramanya Bharathi called "Pudumai Penn". Roughly translated "Innovative Woman" or "Modern Woman".

Renu said...

I am very happy to see a happy women who cares about her family.As a city, I like Pune the most, though I have been there for few stays only.

 
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