Delhi woos mothers today

By Bindu Jacob

To many, today might be just another lazy Sunday. But to the ``better informed'' and ``in-tune-with-the-times'' types, it will be something special. The city's upmarket jet-set is all set to give its mothers ``a time of their life''.

Having set the commercial carnival rolling with the overgrowing list of celebration days, private establishments appear to be caught in a frenzy, whipping up and cashing in on the most saleable commodity ``emotions'' using Mother's Day as the next best excuse to push up the sluggish sale graph.

Marketing this eternal symbol of love, strength and divinity, Swiss watchmakers Swatch today roped in actress and socialite Ms. Nafisa Ali as ``its salutation to the persona of the mother''. Ms. Nafisa came along with her daughter Piya to the Vasant Vihar store and selected the ``Secret Agent Red'' watch. ``It is a great gesture and a thoughtful, sweet thing to do. It feels nice to be remembered,'' she gushed.

Not to be left behind, Concern India Foundation has its list of celebrities with Shahnaz Husain, Blossam Kochar, Habibs, Madonna and Ambika Pillai sponsoring gifts for lucky draws to be held at various offices including Rolls-Royce India Ltd., Aviance Ltd. and the Empress Club for this day.

The buck, of course, does not stop here as the list builds on for this special day. Personal Point offers a two-in-one package specially for mothers and insists that you enroll your mother to the program to show your love for her. Enchante diamond jewelery offers the Nakshatra collection, Electroux Microwave ovens urges mothers to watch a movie at PVR cinemas this weekend, order a Pepsi-popcorn combo and enter a contest to win gifts from them.

Lifespring, the complete cosmetic store, is offering gift hampers worth Rs. 250 to Rs. 2,000 for mothers and at Hyatt Regency you can buy your mother a bouquet at the flower shop and avail of 50 per cent discount at Coffee shop.

A far cry from the commercial nuances of the celebration is what the day means to the over hundred SOS mothers who have dedicated their life and love for the SOS children. The mothers on this special day have gathered at Bhimtal to renew their pledge to continue to bring up unwanted and orphaned children who come to the SOS village.

But one need not despair about the day becoming all about commerce and finance. Why even when the American, Anna Jarvis, who is credited to have started this day, troubled by the crassly commercial bazaar that it had become by 1923, filed a law suit against it she was arrested on charges of disturbing peace.

Meanwhile, if the mundane celebration of Mother's Day does not appeal to you, one can always try out the Yugoslav way. They call it ``Materice'' to begin with and observe it two weeks before Christmas. On this day children slip into their mother's bedroom early morning and tie her up, untie her only after much pleading and promise of giving them a small gift each.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Other States
Previous : Stay on arrest dampens ouster campaign
Next     : For the hero, being bad is good now...