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NEW DELHI : Mother's Day, a typically western concept, has caught on with Indians in a big way as everyone wants to do something special for their mothers on this day.
And companies are doing everything they can to woo customers and get cash registers ringing.
This cake is very special for the Kapoor family.
It has been baked and decorated with love to celebrate Mother's Day and honour three women in the household.
While two generations of moms have raised good sturdy families, the third one looks on to emulating their values in the future.
With our busy schedules, occasions like Mother's Day are proving to be binding forces in a family.
Naresh Prabha Kapoor, a mother, said: "In foreign countries, people are not having time. Now in India situation is the same. In every homes now ladies, gents, children are working. So family gatherings have lessened. So in India people are celebrating Mother's Day so that they can give some extra love and care to their mothers."
Even though Mother's Day is meant to be full of feeling, it is hard to miss out on how commercial it has become.
In this age of excessive industrialisation and consumerism, companies are in a rat race to rake in a profit.
Markets are full of cards and gifts that always set cash registers ringing.
Whether it's Diwali, a birthday or even Mother's Day - there are specific gifts that are rolled out by companies for every occasion.
Consumers say this commercialisation is a double-edged sword.
Arjun, a customer, said: "Commercialising Mother's Day is not a bad thing as It gives attention that one day you can show more love and affection towards your mother though she is significant on all days."
Harleen, a customer, said: "Commercialising Mother's Day is not good. I mean everybody feels it is getting more and more commercialised. They are using it as a means of earning money. But a mother and child feeling is one which is going to be there even if there is no Mother's Day. But I think sometimes some expressions come up from the child that really makes a difference to the mother."
The media is the most popular way of floating advertisements about products during festive seasons.
Besides the electronic and print media, the Internet has today become a popular way of sending gifts to loved ones across the globe.
Sanjay Thapar, President of O&M in New Delhi, said: "I think opportunities come as a result of days becoming important. And if you create those days, which have relevance, then the opportunities which people can take and benefit out of it is absolutely okay.
"In Bombay, when there is rain. People start selling water covers for taximeters on streets. So anybody who finds an opportunity to be able to market something, which is of use to people, then there is no harm in it. And for me it is the days of expressing love. Two different people and you create those occasions for them."
Just like Mother's Day, we also celebrate Father's Day to show our dads how much we love and respect them.
But spare a thought for thousands of aged parents who live their lives in old age homes or in poverty… shunned by their very own.
Such a striking contrast… and every bit a reality. Business houses and companies can do so much good by channelling their profits towards helping the elderly and neglected parents. For, it is them who require our financial help to fulfil just their daily needs. Love for them is still a long way off. - CNA/de
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