A woman is at the very core of every society. She will influence everyone around her. She will influence her children and yes her daughter. That is a very strong bond. Values and principles pass from mother to daughter. I have been fortunate enough to have been raised by mothers of two generations – My Mama and my Grandmother-Avô. With the passing away of my father, both women have been pillars of support, strength and guidance and have made me the independent woman that I am today. – Valerie Carvalho e Abreu, Asst Professor, Margao
Women’s day is all about the values that we learn from the women closest to us and passing it down to our daughters and sons as well. My mother always taught me to be fearless, independent and happy. As a mother myself, I feel the need to teach my daughter to break free from dangerous patriarchy, teach her that being a woman doesn’t mean subordination but empowerment and most importantly respect herself. As women, we must teach our daughters to support and uplift other women and not bring them down. Empowerment and solidarity is the way ahead for women. – Shreeya Kamat Ghanekar, Businesswoman, Ponda
I am so grateful to have a mother like my mom. She is a fighter! The women who has stood by me no matter what. She has taught me that situations never remain same so learn to be positive. My mother is warrior. Even today she is a stubborn designer of her life. She believes that if we desire anything we can achieve. I am proud to follow her footsteps and follow my dreams. I still learn everyday from her to never give up and keep going. A big salute to my mother and all the mothers. Thank you for teaching us what life is. Thank you mom for always showing me that I am worth being inspirational women to the world. I love you so much! – Snesha Sawat, Home Baker, Vasco
My message to my daughter Kaira will be to spread her wings. It is a judgmental society in which we live in. You may choose to be a career oriented woman or a family oriented woman or juggling between both yet you will be judged. So remember whatever you do, do it for yourself, do it cause you feel its right. If you are happy only then can you laugh out whole heartedly and that will spread happiness to your dear ones. – Sheesha Janardhan, Asst Professor , Porvorim
Born to a family of 3 daughters and no sons, my parents effort was to give the best they could, may that be education or freedom to take decisions in career and life. In my journey towards motherhood I realised my mother is a strong pillar in the family. She is the support system to all 3 of us. – Kaira Sudeep, Student, Porvorim
Mothers are like a buttons, they hold everything together. Nobody hides pain better than a mother, who’s trying to remain strong for her kids. Thank you Mom for giving us strength even after facing so many ups & downs in your life. I lost my father last year on 12- June. He was a Doctor – Corona Warrior. What I learnt from this woman is to stay strong even when things fell apart. – Vidhya Vinod Shirodkar, Banking professional, Vasco
Whatever I am today is because of the woman who raised me, my mother. When people say I’m nice all credit goes to her. I’m a carbon copy of my mom and I take great pride in being one. From a tiny baby till now days have been tough, living these years was not easy at all… But my mother has always been there during every thick and thin that has happened to me. My mother has always believed in my dreams and my potential. Today I’m a strong, independent woman and all the credit goes to my mom. She has always thought me to stand for what is right and to be really strong even during the worst situation. I have seen my mom’s hardships as I grew up and she faced everything very courageously and that made me take inspiration from her. Today she is proud of me and she always wanted me to be a professor some days and I was definitely able to live upto to her expectations. – Anaita D’costa, Asst Professor, Fatorda
My mother has been my biggest source of inspiration and the best motivator I could ever have. She is more like a friend to me then my mother. Even though it is difficult, I try to follow her footsteps and adopt all the good qualities she has. Whatever I am today, it is all because of her support and encouragement. Right from childhood till my work-life I have never taken any decisions without her consent and suggestions. Though she may not understand few things about my profession I still make it a point to share with her all my thoughts, ideas and dreams. Whenever I have something to disclose whether it is good or bad, she has always been the first one to know and has been the biggest supporter in all good and bad times. She has always been my role model and will always be. – Nikita Chodankar, College Professor, Vasco
It took me quite a few years to realise MOM is a WOW person. As a child I grew up seeing my mother managing her home and her work. She was a banker, now retired. Managing work in the given time is what was taught to me by her. “Wake up early and get the work done in time” is what I learnt and believe in. She always told me “ Time is precious Rashmi, don’t waste it. It’s not coming back. My mom influenced me in simple living, made me to be strong, independent and an ambitious woman, to think for myself, manage on my own, read a lot and a few hacks of cooking. Indeed the relation with mom is so bonded no words to express. – Rashmi Argekar, Finance Professional, Vasco
From me my mum always said ‘Being happy and independent is the key to life. Maintaining family connections makes you stronger. Work hard and overcome challenges, be an excellent homemaker even if you hold a good position at work as this will help you balance your life’. And trust me, what I am today and the knowledge I am passing on to my daughter is exactly what she taught me to be. As far as Astrid my daughter is concerned I have told her the sky is the limit. It is important to work hard, love people and the importance of being a good mom. I have encouraged her to try her hands in painting, music and even cooking. I have high hopes for her and I wish her all the very best. – Nelly Pereira, Office Manager London
I would like to express how much my mother and Mother in law has been an inspiration to me. I have grown up watching my mom always be a helping hand to others, she would never say no to anything I would wish for and handle any difficult situation with patience. She has taught me that hard times can be overcome and by doing good to others, it’s always good that comes back to you. She always believes that there is a solution to every problem and she would guide me to that. My mother in law has been no less than a second mother to me. I admire her for her dedication to accomplish things, her selfless nature and the advice she gives me to be a better person. I am really grateful that I have these two strong pillars of support in my life. – Gina Almeida, Software professional, Chicalim
