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: Samta Arora, Fashion Designer (mother of Nakul Dhir)
The journey so far…
Nakul was just four and a half, when in an unfortunate accident my husband Rahul got completely paralysed, leaving me with the sole responsibility of our son. Playing a dual role was not easy – especially because I had enough to deal with – emotionally and financially.
How did you push through the bad days?
There have been plenty of bad days where everything has seemed to just crumble down, but as they say necessity is the mother of invention. The needs that my son has in these formative years, continue to force me to reinvent myself into avatars I couldn’t even believe I am capable of. I want to be his hero. Life doesn’t pause for anyone, so the show must go on.
According to you, how much have you succeeded as a parent?
I would like to believe that I am doing my job fairly well. The spark in his eyes and his smile motivated me to excel. He wants to live his life to the fullest and I want to make sure that he does. At the end of the day, he is the driving force.
Any particular moment when you felt like it was all worth it…
There are a lot of them. The bond that we share is priceless; especially when my son senses that I am upset and comes to cheer me up. It makes me feel proud of the boy I am raising.
“I want to be my son’s hero. Life doesn’t pause for anyone, so the show must go on.” – Samta
Child: Nakul Dhir, 5th grade student
If you were in her place, would you have brought yourself up any differently?
I think she’s doing the best she can, except for the fact that she can’t cook.
What is that one thing you admire about her?
The way she is with me, like a friend, we go out to movies, she makes sure I do everything I enjoy – from taking me swimming to out to play.
What kind of a relationship do you guys share?
That of Tom and Jerry
