“There is no role in life that is more essential than that of motherhood.”
- Elder M. Russell Ballard
INTRODUCTION
Mother’s Day, holiday in honor of mothers that is celebrated in countries throughout the world. In its modern form the holiday originated in the United States, where it is observed on the second Sunday in May. Many other countries also celebrate the holiday on this date, while some mark the observance at other times of the year. During the Middle Ages the custom developed of allowing those who had moved away to visit their home parishes and their mothers on Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent. This became Mothering Sunday in Britain, where it continued into modern times, although it has largely been replaced by Mother’s Day. Mother's Day is celebrated on Sunday, May 9, 2021.
HISTORY OF MOTHERS DAY
Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia, whose mother had organized women’s groups to promote friendship and health, originated Mother’s Day. On May 12, 1907, she held a memorial service at her late mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia. Within five years virtually every state was observing the day, and in 1914 U.S. Pres. Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday. Although Jarvis had promoted the wearing of a white carnation as a tribute to one’s mother, the custom developed of wearing a red or pink carnation to represent a living mother or a white carnation for a mother who was deceased. Over time the day was expanded to include others, such as grandmothers and aunts, who played mothering roles. What had originally been primarily a day of honour became associated with the sending of cards and the giving of gifts, however, and, in protest against its commercialization, Jarvis spent the last years of her life trying to abolish the holiday she had brought into being.
Festivals honouring mothers and mother goddesses date to ancient times. The Phrygians held a festival for Cybele, the Great Mother of the Gods, as did the Greeks for the goddess Rhea. Likewise, the Romans adapted the practice to their own pantheon. Some countries have continued to observe ancient festivals; for example, Durga-puja, honouring the goddess Durga, remains an important festival in India.
STORIES OF SOME FAMOUS INDIAN MOTHERS
· KIRAN BEDI
No doubt Kiran is one of the strong ladies who were able to make a mark on every Indian’s heart as India’s first lady IPS officer. Being an IPS officer, Kiran was known for her strict orders and her way of handling the criminals. She was always stern about their punishment, and after she retired from her job, she became an activist and participated in a lot of morchas for a ‘Corruption Free India.’ Currently, she is serving as Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, and very less of you know, but she was also a former tennis player. She has a daughter Saina, whom Kiran never left unnoticed, while she was serving the nation.
· MARY KOM
There would be merely anyone who did not know the legendary story of Mary Kom becoming Mary Kom. Born and brought up in Kangathei, Manipur, Mary Kom was known for beating boys, back in her school years. She became quite famous after she came back and won almost seven World’s Championship and became India’s no. 1. Mary is a proud mother of three naughty kids and lives very happily with her family.
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