
BY MOTHERHOOD CLUB


FESTIVE SPECIAL SERIES 10 VOL 4 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2024
FESTIVE SPECIAL SERIES 10 VOL 4 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2024
Akta Sehgal 1. Aparajita Agarwal 2. Dr P . S Rathore 3. Dr Sunita Chauhan 4. Dr Taruni Kariya 5. Ila Pachauri 6. Kamal Nimodia 7. Manju Lata 8. Muktesh9. Neelam Dwivedi 10. Nidhi Bansal 11. Nirupama Khare 12
Poonam Saxena 13. Preetha Nair 14. Ranjana Majumdar 15. Ratan Kumar Agarwal 16. Shiwani Manna 17. Shreen Vardhan Sharma 18. Shweta Bhargav 19. Suraksha Khurana 20. Swetha Sundar 21. Vaishali Sisodiya 22.
MONEY MINDSET & WEALTH CREATION WEBINAR
The three pillars on which Motherhood Club stands tall. All our conversations and social drives are around these themes
Money plants are the loveliest and most fuss free indoor plants. They come in many varieties and they propagate easily. Hence they are very economical too.
Why you must keep Money plants in your homes and workplace:
1 NASA approved air purifier, remove toxins from the air
2. Money plants absorb radiations emitted from computer screens, wi-fi routers and TV screens. Each work station/ study table/ living room/ bedroom must have one big sized Money plant.
3. Placing a Money plant in front of a sharp corner or angle in the room can reduce stress and anxiety.
4. Money plant brings wealth and abundance. It increases positivity, helps in getting multiple sources of income as well as removing financial obstacles. They must be kept in South East direction of the house/ room to attract wealth.
5 Above all, they beautify the spaces, they energise spaces, they bring happiness
- Ila Pachauri
Indoor
Plant Expert and Founder, My Little Greens
Which world do we live in - Real or Reel ???? A question I wish to ask to all parents and grandparents .
A world which is so made up and so unreal , that we ourselves have forgotten what do we want and what do we want our kids to learn . Compelling kids to be someone they are not ,just because we want to share a video of theirs ? Is that the way forward and are we in someway teaching our kids to be fake and show off to the world who we are not, rather than focusing on who we really are .....
At one of the birthday parties a child who did not want to be clicked , was being constantly clicked by the parent, as she wanted to make a reel and share it to the world. Is it somewhere associated to a perhaps deep rooted issues of belongingness , the craving to be appreciated and FOMO ( fear of missing out)????
We dress our kids for our own happiness or for theirs, when did this become a reason to show off , to compare and to judge someone basis what the child is wearing, or all the skills that the child has ? Are we all not guilty of this and in some way robbing our kids innocence and child hood ?
Making reels on songs and dialogues which are not age appropriate , sharing them just to get views, likes and comments ???? At one end we are telling out kids marks don't matter but on the other side we are telling them more views means you are more popular.....
Why can't we let kids be kids - do we realise that with so much sharenting and taking away their innocence we are actually exposing kids to a lot more than what they can absorb thereby leading to them being a victim of FOMO too.
Let kids be kids, allow them to enjoy the phase of innocence where they can freely be themselves and enjoy and choose what they like and what they dont.
This whole influx of social media visibility beyond a point is causing anxiety, stress and mental health issues in kids and teenagers.
Time has come where we relook and let kids be kids and not mature them before age.
Time to introspect and realign our parenting goals.
Akta Sehgal Founder Kiddomentoring
There is a uptick in women investors , yet many shy away. Let's look at how women feel about managing finances
Clearly one can see that women want to manage their own investments but also worried at the same time , get frustrated too... and perhaps get bored too.. They still need to seek permission before they can start investing, they are still doubted and their ability to take the correct decision is questioned. All this also leads to gender wealth gap, savings gap, inheritance gap and many other gaps.
While the number of women investors is increasing, the bigger question to ask is how many are decision makers and how many are trophy investors, This data does not get captured anywhere and at the same time, the sample size taken is very skewed and miniscule.
WOMEN INVESTORS NEED TO BECOME ROLE MODELS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT LARGE - WHO CAN SHARE THEIR STORIES TO MOTIVATE OTHERS
Akta Sehgal Founder Manas Wealth
A window left open to welcome the breeze, To wash away the stale whispers of time.
A teeny weeny sky light to let in the shiny ray , To chase away the dark secrets of time
A waft of floral fragrance rises up to the skies , To lighten the musty fumes of time.
A splash of colours spurting at Sunrise , To reinitiate the dying hopes of time.
A burst of romance culminating at sunset , To refuel the dry emotions of time
Keeping our minds open to scrape away the rusting time.
Keeping our hearts and arms open to welcome the goodness of time.
A bright smile at the mirror to cheer the sad face struggling through time.
- Ila Pachauri
I am proud of myself
I have a journey to begin
My attache case
I have packed
Renewed radiance
Happy hopes
Daring dreams
Sugary smiles
All in abundance
Neatly arrayed my
Self esteem
Self belief
And a whole lot of Oorja
For munching
I stacked unfelt emotions
Ideas
Memories
Self analysis I tucked on top
I was fairly ready
And of course
Preparedness seemed almost complete
I started with full zest.
As I looked back
No smiling faces
To wish me luck
No Happy gudbyes
No waving hands
Just a sad trail of emptiness
I felt forlorn
A silent thought cringed me inside
Wanted to retreat
Was this journey worth
Anything at all
Summoned my thoughts
I shrugged my shoulders
Nudged my conscience
Feeling proud of myself
my journey of self exploration
- Nidhi Bansal
Shanti had always been a woman of routine. The daily chores, the children's schedules, being caretaker to her ailing in-laws, the endless cycle of domesticity – it had become the rhythm of her life. When the world shut down due to COVID-19, her comforting routine was disrupted and became more demanding. Suddenly, she found herself with loads of work on her hands and she started getting very stressed. As Covid petered out and people started getting back to routine, Shanti started detesting the silence of her house. Her in laws had gone to visit relatives and her children and husband had started work full time. Initially, Shanti felt a sense of restlessness. The silence of the house was unnerving, and the empty days stretched out before her like endless, blank canvases. She tried filling her time with various hobbies, but nothing truly captured her heart. A sense of discontent began to gnaw at her.
One evening, while scrolling through her social media feed, Shanti stumbled upon a post about mandala art. The intricate patterns, the vibrant colors – it was mesmerizing. A spark ignited within her. She remembered the joy she'd felt as a child, coloring intricate patterns in her coloring books.
With newfound enthusiasm, Shanti ordered a set of colored pencils and a blank canvas. She started with a simple design, carefully outlining the basic shapes and patterns. As she filled in the spaces with color, she found herself losing track of time. The repetitive motions were therapeutic, a meditative dance of hands and colors.
As Shanti's skills improved, her creations became more intricate. She experimented with different patterns, colors, and techniques. The once-empty canvases of her days were now filled with vibrant, colorful mandalas.
Shanti started sharing her work online, and soon, she had a small but dedicated following. People were drawn to the beauty and intricacy of her mandalas. She began receiving commissions, and her hobby turned into a thriving business.
Shanti's newfound passion had not only filled her days with joy but had also given her a sense of purpose. She had discovered a hidden talent within herself, a creative outlet that had transformed her life. And so, the woman who had once felt trapped in the monotony of domesticity found her true calling, one mandala at a time.
- Swetha Sundar
Meet the cricket coach who overcame personal struggles to nurture young talent and achieve professional success.
As we celebrate Teacher's Day in the month of September, we honor the selfless individuals who shape young minds and futures. One such inspiring story is that of Coach Sachin, a cricket coach whose unwavering dedication and resilience in the face of adversity have transformed lives.
Coach Sachin had reached a pinnacle in his coaching career, mentoring talented young cricketers. However, life took a drastic turn when he suffered a heart attack, followed by a painful divorce. These challenges would have broken a lesser person, but Coach Sachin refused to give up.
Despite his personal struggles, he continued to fund the coaching of two promising students from humble backgrounds. His commitment to their growth and success remained unwavering.
A year later, Coach Sachin found love again, a dedicated teacher at his school. Their marriage not only brought personal joy but also professional synergy. The coach was soon appointed Head of the Sports Department, where he spearheaded innovative programs and nurtured young talent.
In a heartwarming turn of events, the Coach offered, his student from humble background now an accomplished cricketer, a job opportunity as a coach at the school. This gesture not only changed student's life but also underscored Sachin sir's investment in his students' futures.
Coach Sachin and his wife collaborated to establish their own cricket coaching academy, providing opportunities to aspiring cricketers from all backgrounds. This academy has become a beacon of hope and excellence, producing talented players and inspiring a new generation.
On this Teacher's Day, we recognize Coach Sachin's remarkable journey, which embodies the spirit of selfless mentoring. His story serves as a testament to the transformative power of dedication, perseverance, and compassion.
- Shreen Vardhan Sharma
Diwali is a festival celebrated all across India with different rituals but with equal gusto. It brings to my mind a rustle of new clothes, scrumptious snacks and light-and-sound crackers, Lakshmi Puja . The festive spirit and enthusiasm are there but so different from olden days!
Very few prepare snacks at home now. With most women working, ordering sweets has become the order of the day. Even home-makers feel there’s no point taking too much trouble preparing snacks and choose to place orders as everything is so readily available. In fact, people prefer to exchange chocolates / dry fruits instead of bought sweets. Not to mention the calorie-conscious majority! Also, with more people choosing readymade garments, there are lesser visits to the tailor who lords over his customers during this season. However, kids’ thrill in crackers remains unabated.
True, India’s standard of living has vastly improved. Money is replacing personal involvement. No longer can we smell the aroma of cardamom, saffron and frying emanating from homes. Diwali sweets arrive from reputed sweet shops. Markets are super crowded and many have switched to online shopping.
For many Diwali is nostalgic. It means bursting crackers till our ears ached. Gorging on gulab jamuns and laddoos. Reciting aartis in front of Lakshmi and Ganesha till we felt assured we’d expressed our gratitude. Making rangoli patterns till the guests felt truly welcomed. Filling up homes with the aroma of incense sticks and fresh flowers. Making lavish meals till the pots and pans groaned with spices, vegetables, and condiments. Lighting up the home with candles and diyas till every single corner reflected light and love and the atmosphere was redolent with celebration. But all this was a long time ago… when we didn’t know that crackers were made by children in dark sweatshops or that ghee choked up our arteries. Until the Chinese exploded the neighborhood markets with fancy LED lights. When we weren’t aware that pollution levels in the air were going up with each passing day. When we didn’t care for branded outfits or didn’t think it was important for the business to spend time with partners and clients. When aartis didn’t come loaded on dvds and you tube.
When did Diwali change from what we knew it to be? Perhaps when we ourselves changed so much? When we had adapted, accepted, welcomed, become more sensitive to such an extent that we had also begun to lose out on some fine things? What I remember most about my Diwali as a child is not the goodies but the late-night walk that we took with my father and uncle to watch the well lit locality. Diwali was always about spending more time with loved ones and building memories than spending on gifts. While it is true that traditions should not necessarily stand in the way of innovation and progress, it is also important that we do not rob the festivals of their original charm . So, if our lives today have become busier and we no longer have time to visit relatives as we did in the past, greeting each other on mobiles or social networking sites may not be a bad idea, after all, provided one realizes that while video chats can bring us closer, it can also distance us from significant ceremonies, rituals, and even emotions. Diwali is a festival that I have always associated with the family coming together to celebrate.
Evenings of Diwali were and still are, glorious. As a South Indian Delhiite, I got to experience two types of Diwali. The moonless sky lit by umpteen stars stares back at the earth and once every year is faced with a competition of lights. The smell of firecrackers, the snow-white kheel with sugar-toys and candies, the variety of sweets, and the playful teenagers are all fresh in my memory. I can still see myself standing in the corner with hands on my ears when my braver younger sisters laughed at the look of terror on my face as they lit each firecracker from a lighted candle. I can still see my mother peeping from the door to keep a watch on our safety. Dinner used to be late on Diwali nights when my father would come back from his friends’ houses. Of course, we would not care much as our appetites would be satisfied enough with a bite of sweet here and a nibble at the freshly prepared snacks.
I miss those cool mornings when my mother and I started with the colorful rangoli in the freshly washed Courtyard. Almost every year I fought over the color-scheme with my mother even when I knew that my artistic sense was handicapped compared to hers. I remembered those quarrels, which were settled with my grandma’s stern reproach, “Stop that bickering or stop the rangoli.” Her threats worked and we would do as my mother decided. A day before Diwali, on Dhanteras, a trip to the jeweler was a must to buy some gold, for good luck. After Laxmi Pooja, huge quantities of puris, pumpkin-sabzi (even grandma didn't know why kaddu was the customary Diwali dish) and mithai would be devoured, and another round of crackers were burst. Diyas were lit all around the house (on Kali Chaudas, a day before Diwali diyas had to be lit near garbage dumps!) Now, of course, there are all those strings of electric fairy lights and battery-operated diyas that don't go off with a gentle breeze and don't leave a mess of wax. ” Before malls became hot for Diwali shopping, most ration would be ordered from Kirana shops. Three-four days before Diwali, moms would be slogging in the kitchen making sweets which can now be picked up in plastic packets at the supermarket. Before branded clothes took over, fabric was purchased at least a month in advance and sent to the tailor. Heaps of sweets would be exchanged with all the neighbors and relatives in large thaals with hand-crocheted coverings. Now, everyone is diet-conscious, scared of diabetes and warned against trans- fats. So professionally packed low-fat chocolates, sugar-free mithai and cookies are sent across.
Now, people give card parties and wear designer clothes, and hit the treadmill weeks before Diwali to burn off the ghee that hasn't even been consumed. And gift expensive candles that look so pretty, you don't have the heart to light.
As South Indian TamBrahms, the day before Deepavali would be hectically busy. The previous two days would have been spent in the kitchen making savories and sweets, running to the tailor or shopping for last minute purchases. A frenzy of house cleaning would have resulted in a sparkling, squeaky clean home. Of course, the custom of making the Deepavali lehyam or marundu, a digestive mixture that is eaten first thing in the morning of Deepavali after the ritual bath, is still in practice. In our heyday, we took pride in delivering goodies from our family one day ahead we were the first to do so in our circle. So, we would spend the day going from house to house and deliver the little packets of savoury mixture and assorted mithai. Today the only thing I prepare is the lehyam that too in the morning so that the dishes would be washed by the maid whose timetable was more important than custom. Usually, the sweets and savories are ordered from my family chef who packs them up in beautiful cardboard boxes. When did Indians become so health conscious? Something surely is not right with this picture. All I have to do is gracefully hand out the box to neighbors and as a return gift to visitors who come with their offerings. Even this I find trying now—no energy even though the enthusiasm has not diminished.
Can a video call with grandparents replace real hugs? Yes and no. At the end of the day, we have the choice to look both back and ahead. Festivals in India are symbolic of our cultural heritage and our religious pageantry and their core can ever be corrupted by modern progressions. And then when festivals are all about the young and old coming together to celebrate, why should we not just do that? So, this Diwali make sure that you hold on to some things from the past and shake hands with some things of today and tomorrow.
Swetha Sundar
Oil painting on canvas by Vaishali Sisodiya
Quilling by Suraksha Khurana
Artwork by Manju Lata
Artwork by Shiwani Manna
WE ARE HAPPY TO SHARE THAT if any MHC member wishes to join hands or collaborate with either of our associates or Partners, s/he can please get in touch with team Motherhood Club for the same.