News report - Happy Mother's Day

Sunday, May 10, 2009


In Pakistan, this celebration is only now beginning to make an impact on our society and signs of celebration can be seen in places, especially the commercial outlets — it’s a lovely way to honour your mother — and detractors, who say we already have a family system, which pays tribute to mothers, should not be allowed to dub it a ‘Western’ idea and knock its importance. We have been taught that paradise lies beneath the feet of a mother, so celebrating this notion is in keeping with our belief and if there can be special days devoted to children, women in general, etc, then why not to mothers? Sending flowers and gifts are now a common practice, so don’t be shy — send your Mum a special message on her day; don’t forget to pamper her and let her know you love her and though she may already know this, there’s nothing like putting your feelings into words and loving gestures.

So how did this day become universally dedicated to mothers? In the times of ancient Greeks, Rhea, the mother of the gods, was honoured with a special festival, which some say is the forerunner of the present Mother’s Day. The first observation of a Mother’s Day took place in 1872 when Julia Ward Howe, social reformer and poet, suggested a day to honour mothers — a day dedicated to peace. Howe failed in her attempt to get formal recognition of her idea, which was influenced by Anna Jarvis, who in 1858, had attempted to improve sanitation through what she called, ‘Mothers’ Work Day.’

Later, Mary Sasseen, a devoted teacher and daughter, tried to begin the tradition of honouring mothers but a cruel twist of fate occurred when she died in childbirth. Following her mother’s footsteps, Anna Jarvis Jr took Howe’s idea a step further in 1907 and started her own crusade to found a memorial day for women by campaigning for a nationally recognised Mother’s Day. Anna succeeded in getting her hometown to celebrate Mother’s Day on the anniversary of her mother’s death — the second Sunday in May. Eventually, this was officially declared as ‘Mother’s Day’ by President Woodrow Wilson. It is a busy time of the year for mailmen in many countries, while telephone networks are also at their busiest, as it continues to be one of the most commercially successful holidays all over the world, even more than Christmas and Valentines Day.

Happy Mothers Day to all you wonderful mothers out there!

— Ishrat Hyatt

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