In olden days, mothers-in-law used to take voluntary retirement from the day their daughters-in-law stepped in. They were free to attend Harikathe sessions with their peers, participate in gossip-sessions, compare daughters-in-law, indulge in the philanthropic work of reforming each other’s.

It was an easy task since their boys would be married at an early age. How could the daughter-in-law, a mere chit of a girl, assert herself? Rebel against the rules of the day?

But the scenario is changed now! So much so that mothers-in-law find themselves much more in the kitchen after the advent of daughter-in-laws who are employed. Verily, Bhagyalakshmis in tangible form!

As such, mothers-in-law have lost the voice and are content to take the back-seat. No voluntary retirement as before! On the contrary, double-triple shifts at the kitchen. Heavy breakfast for that couple in a tearing hurry to go to work, lunch for dabba. All in addition to coping with the vagaries of gas, electricity, not to mention twenty-first century-maid servant, and if they have a grandchild, it will surely lead to a nervous breakdown!

In days of their glory, mothers-in-law would parade their jewels-decked daughters-in-law in all functions, but now, the species have absolutely no time to attend even close family functions! Not even at their mother’s place, making them wonder whether the mother-in-law is deliberately keeping their girl away from them! As it is, they have have the grouse that the hard-earned money they spent on their daughter is being enjoyed by others. But dare not open their mouth, at least for some time.

Top of all this, a marriage anniversary of sixty ripe years was celebrated by the only son, who had come all the way from, yes, America! The old couple could not be happy in spite of the huge gathering of relatives.

“If only she had come for just an hour. . . “ They looked at each other wistfully. But the son had his own tape recorder-like explanation: “My wife is a top executive in an multinational corporation, you know. So it is very difficult even to come home ....