The birth of a girl in the family is considered to be the
blessing of goddess lakshmi (goddess of wealth and prosperity). Ironically very
few rejoice at this occasion. The birth of a baby boy is celebrated with cheer,
whereas the birth of a baby girl is marked with tears! These are the conservative
societies who still believe that the heir of the family “a boy” is more
important to carry forward the family’s legacy as compared to the girl child.
Here is a touching story of a mother who loves and respects
her daughter!
It’s a big day in Raji’s life. She has been busy with the
preparations for the past three days. Making a list of the little guests to be
invited, buying grocery, cleaning up her small one bedroom house, a new dress
for her little princess and a lot more. After all it’s her little girl, her
beloved daughter’s birthday today. The first thing she did in the morning was
to visit the temple with her daughter, offered prayers and later sent her
daughter to school with sweets for her classmates. She then gets busy making payasam for the guests, her humble effort to make this day a
special one.
Finally it’s time to celebrate. Raji’s little doll is
dressed in a lovely pink frock, her guests; little children from the neighborhood
have arrived and the chocolate cake that she had ordered at the local bakery is
at the table. Raji lights a lamp, praying for the longevity and happiness of
her daughter followed by “Happy Birthday to You…” little ones’ singing in
chorus after which Raji’s daughter cuts the cake. Some have got flowers for the
birthday girl and some have gifts. There is so much happiness in their
simplicity that cannot be measured by money! Raji cannot afford a good meal for her
guests hence she offers all of them a glass of payasam. At the end this grand celebration
the guests leave and the birthday girl gives a huge hug, thanking her mom.
Raji works as a
domestic help to fulfill her family’s needs. Her husband, a carpenter earns
very little and has no work for most of the time. Raji has two children one son
and a daughter, both of whom she loves immensely. She has never differentiated
between her two children and strives to keep them happy. This love that of a
mother is pure, free of gender bias. A mother cannot differentiate between her
children it’s the society that discriminates. A daughter is an inseparable part
of the family; you can change her name, marry her off to another family, not
consider her part of your home yet she remains “Your Blood” and no society can
change that!
