Enduring lessons men learnt from their mothers

Ask any man and he will share enduring lessons he has been taught by his mother, which often reflect in who he is and all he does. This Mother's Day, we spoke to a few men from different fields to know how they have instilled these values into their business/profession. By Puja Gupta

Comedian Anubhav Singh Bassi "Time is the most powerful thing in the world, respect the time. It can make you or break you without giving you any notice. And I follow this religiously. I have changed four careers and this lesson taught by my mother helped me in becoming what I'm today."

Advocate Jishant Barua "My mother is a housewife, probably because of which she has a lot of patience and that's what she taught me. She also imbibed in me the quality of being organised in whatever I do. Being a lawyer, these are the most important qualities which my profession demands. Keeping my files and folders organised and being patients and composed while dealing with clients from different sectors help ease my job."

Chef Ranveer Brar "My mother is my artistic inspiration. I credit her for my creative ability. She always encouraged me to paint more, sculpt more and write more... basically find creative mediums to express myself. Little did she know that I'd eventually adopt the medium that I had grown up watching her and Biji use - cooking!!

Manish Malhotra "Fundamental focus - is what I learnt from my mother. The focus that she had towards her family, her sons to keep them happy. I remember my dad was fond of non-vegetarian food and she came from an absolute vegetarian family. But she learnt to cook non-vegetarian food and would meet friends and learn new recipes. She learnt how to drive in order to drop us to school. All of that reflects in me. Also, I have never heard her speak about anybody. She has taught us to walk the path of life with full focus and positivity."

Singer Armaan Malik "Our mother has always pushed Amaal and me to seize the moment, and strive for the best. I remember this one thing she always says, 'Make it happen, don't wait for it to happen.' Whoever we are and where we stand right now in this industry, wouldn't have been possible without her support and love. Her business acumen has helped us make the best decisions and create opportunities we thought were non-existent. Her pragmatic vision has always enabled us to make the best out of whatever the situation is."

Fitness expert Gaurav Taneja "What I learnt from my mother was to be organised which in return saves a lot of time. It also makes you look quite professional at your work place. I still abide by that and it really helps me maintain good, positive vibe."

Vijayraghavan Venugopal, Co-Founder, Fast&Up "I feel mothers are the best managers that can ever be. From the finances of the house to making sure everything is in perfect order - in business it takes an army to run it smoothly. A home is run single handedly by a mother and for that, I thank not only my mom but all the ones who do this difficult job with the passion and happiness they do it with. My mother taught me the importance of responsibility. As the elder son, she would always teach me the importance of patient and ensure that I helped my younger brother while growing up. I like think that we instilled the same value in this organisation."

Edul Mahaduvala, co-founder of Castles & Coasters My grandmother and mother have played a key role in shaping the person I have become. Most importantly they taught me the value of time. The way you treat time not only yours but also others builds the core to your character. And no better time to value this key teaching than now. Time is usually the one thing that people have and do take for granted. My grandmother always said "the clock is ticking for you as long as you show gratitude towards it, without time you are empty." It's in today's time that I feel people are realizing this value and inculcating it in their lives.

Trishant Sidhwaani, Director at Dreamzkraft Weddings "My mother is a business woman and has built Dreamzkrraft a wedding planning and decor company over the last 20 years. Since childhood she has taught me the importance of doing the right thing even when things get tough and especially towards the people who are not doing right by you. Never to lie, never to cheat anybody, never speak ill of anybody and never to attempt to claim something that you have not earned. Be positive, put your 100 percent in whatever you do and be honest to yourself. These general life lessons if practised becomes part of who you are and whether it is your personal life or business, having such values will ensure you remain grounded and ethical."