'Love you Mummy'

Alpana Shukla Rao from Delhi reveals the lessons she learnt from her mother Nirmal Shukla.

"I'm very lucky to have my mother around," writes Alpana. "She turns 79 on May 12."

"I wish her a very happy and healthy birthday in addition to a happy Mother's Day.

"I survived a brain operation in my early years of life. This second life is a gift to me from my parents.

"I have been very successful academically, professionally and personally, with her blessings and guidance (of course with Papa's blessing and guidance too).

"I have seen her working very hard to make ends meet.

"She played multiple roles at the same time: daughter-in-law, wife, homemaker, mother and a teacher.

"She'd start her day very early in the morning by preparing food for us, leaving the house to teach students, taking tuitions, returning home to do the household chores, and then teaching her three children.

"I got the energy to multi-task from her.

"Having raised three kids into educated, responsible citizens, being the wife of a highly educated person, and herself being well-qualified, I have always found my mother to be very humble.

"She taught me how to be an easy-going mother with my kids and never go overboard.

"Love you Mummy for your serene and blessed mood."