Every third Sunday of June is usually celebrated as Father’s Day – and why not? Dads are not only a blessing but also a very important part of a child’s upbringing – hence we need to appreciate and celebrate them. Father’s Day is a perfect time to honour fathers and celebrate the role they play in their kids’ lives. But not every child out there has had that. There are some who probably aren’t blessed enough – or maybe blessed more than usual. Having your dad around in your growing up years is needed, and for those who haven’t – there were mothers who stepped into the shoes of fathers to compensate for the kids. Mothers who have woken up early to pack tiffins, then worked long hours, come back home to cook meals and finish homework – basically, mothers who have fought the world and circumstances like soldiers to bring their kids up.
Today, celebrating the spirit of Father’s Day, we went into the homes of some single moms to understand them and their journeys better. Here are some overwhelming stories of supermoms who have raised their children singlehandedly and perfectly played the dual part of the father and the mother. These heart-warming stories are beliefs that a mother can indeed be a father as well and fill in the vacuum in their child’s life flawlessly!
Text: Anahita Ahuja
Mum: Deepa Chander, Costume Designer in films, Interior Designer and Psychic energy reader (mother of Aninditaa and Drishika Chander)
The journey so far…
The question of a mother and father only arises when you have a choice. I would never refer to this role as tough or easy as the only thing I saw was the helplessness of my children and the limitations I had in giving them what they needed. The first thing I set about doing was teaching my children that laughter is a good thing and there is nothing to be afraid of. So I started to turn everything into a joke to help the three of us cope.
How did you push through the bad days?
One of my mottos in life is, “This too shall pass.” And it always did and does.
Where did you draw your strength from?
Somehow I never looked at it as strength. All I saw were my two innocent kids who looked at me with such trusting eyes and I knew I just had to keep them safe come what may. If that is what is called strength, then it came from my children.
According to you, how much have you succeeded as a parent?
I see my two beautiful daughters and I am very proud of the fact that despite all they have seen through their young innocent eyes, they still are amazingly gentle, kind, fun-loving, responsible independent women. I will always be a parent and so the journey continues…!
“Her love gives me the strength by which I dare to dream. She is strength, my weakness, my happiness, my lifeline. She is my World!” – Aninditaa
Child: Aninditaa Chander, LLM, High Court Lawyer.
Do you think you could have been as strong as your mum?
My mum is one of the strongest people I know. She stood strong and positive even in trying times without ever complaining and losing faith in people or life. She sets the bar high in this category.
If you were in her place, would you have brought yourself up any differently?
The values and principles my mum taught us is what made my sister and I who we are today. I wouldn’t do anything differently.
What is that one thing you admire about her?
Her pure heart! She is one person who always reaches out to anyone in need; putting that person before herself. She is a wonderful human being.
