Motamma, Prasad attribute their success to mothers

Leader of opposition in the Legislative Council Motamma on Saturday bemoaned about Indians settling abroad, leaving their parents behind to fend for themselves back home.

She was speaking at ‘Nalmeya Ammandiru’ (loving mothers), a programme organised by Mysore Ladies Association to mark International Mother’s Day, at Kalamandira in the city.

Motamma, who went down memory lane, recalled her mother’s contribution in making her a successful woman. “Though my mother was illiterate, she was particular about educating me. One should be made to understand the significance of mother at the tender age itself,” said Motamma.

Nanjangud MLA V Sreenivas Prasad also owed his successful career as a politician to his mother. “My father was a matriculate holder in those days and mother had a little bit of education. When my father was against my aspiration to contest the polls, it was my mother who came to my rescue”, said Prasad. “It’s always loving and caring heart of a mother, which can succinctly read children’s mind,” he added.

Tracing the growth of women from the past several decades, Prasad said there was a time when women stepping out of the house itself was a taboo. Now, although it’s not completely opposite, there is a gradual shift in the mindset of the society towards women.

Prasad remembered the day when Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar was kidnapped. “No sooner we (Prasad and H N Ananath Kumar both MPs then), got the news, we rushed to Tamil Nadu to meet Karunanidhi, thanks to the pilots, women again, who flew us in an aircraft”, said Prasad. Prasad, throughout his journey on board, was awe inspired by the pilot and co-pilot and the confidence and commitment the duo had in manoeuvring the winged machine. He thanked the organisers for helping them vent his feelings for his mother on an apt day.

Mayor M C Rajeshwari, president of Mysore Ladies Association Mallige Veeresh, writer Geeta Mahadev Prasad and others were present.