Best of friends
Pratibha Ray-Adyasha Das
For any Oriya, Pratibha Ray needs no introduction. Her outstanding contribution to Oriya literature has earned her global recognition. And the uniqueness of her novels and short stories have fetched her several prestigious awards too. But besides being a scholar, academician and a passionate crusader against evils prevailing in social and religious spheres, Pratibha also dons a greater role of being a mother. ‘‘Managing work and house was a tough job but a mother is a mother even if she is a writer or a bureaucrat. She cannot neglect her responsibilities towards her children under any circumstances. As far as my children are concerned, I tried to give them the most of my time,’’ Pratibha says.
‘‘She mostly wrote in night after we all went to sleep,’’ reminisces daughter Adyasha Das. ‘‘We never felt neglected by Ma in any way. Rather, I am still surprised at how she manages everything so effortlessly,’’ Adyasha, the eldest of three siblings and a faculty member, Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management, says.
Multi-tasking and discipline are the most important traits Adyasha feels she has inherited from her mother. ‘‘I didn’t have to look for a role model outside. I had one in my house itself. She is one woman with extraordinary facets leading an ordinary life. Today, as I am balancing my life between work and home, I don’t feel tired because I have seen my mother do much more.’’
Though a disciplinarian, Pratibha always encouraged her children to pursue their interest while focusing on their core learning responsibilities. ‘‘Nothing propelled her more than the all-consuming desire to transfer the best of human values to her children,’’ Adyasha adds. But more than a mother-daughter relation, the two consider themselves to be the best of friends and feel their bond has only grown stronger with time.
‘‘Adyasha has in fact become my mother now. She is way more concerned for me than I am for myself,’’ Pratibha smiles.
Mom’s the world
Roopa Mishra-Usha Mishra
Intense yet simple, empowered yet down-to-earth, vivacious yet dignified - that’s 2004 All India IAS topper Roopa Mishra for you uncut. Daughter of bureaucrat Dandanirodh Mishra and academician Usha Mishra, Roopa is the third IAS topper from Orissa after Prafulla Chandra Mishra in 1982 and Hrusikesh Panda in 1979.
Before her tryst with the Civil Services, Roopa was in for academics like her mother. ‘‘As a child, I used to play ‘teacher teacher’ and try to imitate Ma. As I grew up, I realised that I enjoyed teaching more so because I was good at academics and at the same time was at ease communicating,’’ she says.
Usha Mishra agrees. ‘‘Roopa’s leadership and communication skills were evident since her childhood. Keeping in view her excellence in academics, extra-curricular activities and strong personality, I definitely expected her to be the best in whatever she did.’’
Independence is what Roopa got from her mother in abundance. ‘‘I had never felt any pressure as my mother never let me feel any. And it was because of this independence and her talent that Roopa’s ‘secret dream’ of being an administrator prevailed. She respects her mother for always being there for her in every stage of her life. ‘‘Inspite of our very different personalities, I have imbibed my mother’s discipline, sincerity, hard work and respect for family values,’’ Roopa adds.
Mother of a 10-month-old son, Roopa still trusts her mother when it comes to important decisions, particularly in matters that affect her personal life.
Role Model
Ankita Mohapatra-Saudamini Mohapatra
A gynecologist of repute who had to balance work and home, Dr Saudamini Mohapatra feels a working mother has some special responsibilities and needs to spend a lot of quality time with the children. She is glad she did so. ‘‘Bringing up a daughter is always a difficult job especially when one is a working mother. I also had my share of challenges. But I must say bringing up Ankita has been a pleasurable experience. Ankita is a gem of a girl minus her tantrums. But all her tantrums are over once I am out of sight. So I guess getting to know her tantrums has been my exclusive privilege. I’m proud of the time I spent with both my daughters while bringing them up,’’ says the mother of the Gladrags 2009 megamodel winner, Ankita.
The daughter however is upset with the fact that she is missing Mother’s Day. ‘‘Mama is the best and she knows what’s best for me and my sister. It was her confidence in me that helped me win the title. Infact she was the one who persuaded me to participate in the Gladrags model hunt,’’ says Ankita who is in Mumbai for and ad-film shoot. ‘‘I’m getting a surprise for her when I’ll be back in Bhubaneswar,’’ she says. However Saudamini says, ‘‘Mother’s day gift? I guess I have two beautiful gifts already. My two daughters. I wish them all success.’’
Home is where Mom is
Padmini Rout-Sasmita Rout
She could be a warrior at the chessboard but at home U14 World Champion Padmini is her mother’s pet and Mom means the world to her. From accompanying her to international tournaments to guiding her with the best books just for reading or improving her game, Mom is her comfort zone feels Padmini. ‘‘Mom has been the most inspiring person for me. She is the one who has always helped me budget time for studies, my game and friends too. And she provides unconditional encouragement like no one else. For me and my sister she is our best friend,’’ says the teenager, who is in Mumbai for a tournament. ‘‘Had I been there I would have brought Mom a wonderful gift and a card on Mother’s Day,’’ she adds.
Sasmita Rout, Padmini’s mother is a housewife who feels being a mother is a blessing for any woman and the journey so far with both her children could not have been better. ‘‘Both the girls are wonderful daughters. But sadly, Gudiya (Padmini) being so young faces trouble with food during her tournaments abroad and so I accompany her sometimes. Gudiya travels so much I cannot help missing her, but then she makes all of us proud,’’ says Sasmita who feels she got a lifelong gift when Padmini won her first National title and doesn’t need one on Mother’s Day.
diana@epmltd.com/mpanda.namita@gmail.com