We asked youngsters from all over the country whether they'll be celebrating Mother's Day this coming Sunday, what they plan to do and whether the recession has put a dent in their plans. We got some extremely interesting answers. 'I had to cut down on my plans because my salary got cut' Here's what Maanasi RK, a 26-year-old social media marketing executive from Bangalore had to say: Plan for Mothers' Day: I will be spending quality time with my mother by taking her out. She likes to watch plays, so I'll take her to any play that she's interested in watching. She loves fruit 'n' nut chocolates too; so I will be gifting her a bar of that along with some flowers. How the recession's affecting my plans: Because of the recession, i had to take a pay-cut. I had a really great idea for Mother's Day this year, but I had to let go of it because of the present circumstances -- I can't even afford to splurge too much on the chocolates she likes so much. Moreover, places in Bangalore have become too expensive and so I can't afford to treat her to a nice dinner. Message for my mother: You're the greatest mother in the world and I love you truly!
'I plan to cook her a special meal myself'
Dexter Rodrigues, a 20-year-old BSc student from Mumbai, wants to keep things simple:
My plan for Mother's Day: I am going to cook a meal for my mother this Sunday and do as many household chores as possible. No other plans apart from that, as cooking by itself will take up a lot of my time!
How the recession has affected my plan: If I was going to buy her something, then yes, it probably would have been a bit of a problem. But in this case, the recession won't affect what I want to do -- I have a humble plan for my mother (smiles).
Message for my mother: I love you, Mom. I do all this for you only once a year, I wonder how you manage to love me everyday!
'I am planning to write her a poem and treat her to dinner'
Twenty five-year-old IT executive Shreyas Pandit from Bangalore wants to show his mother a really good time:
My plan for Mother's Day: I am planning to write her a poem, as she loves poems. Besides that, I will be up early that day and will clean the house. I will also prepare tea and breakfast for her and then lunch. In the evening, I will be taking her for a teppanyaki dinner to the the Orange Peel restaurant and there I'll spend some quality time with her, as mothers love spending time with their children.
How the recession has affected my plan: There are many ways to prevent the recession from affecting our Mothers' Day plans and I think by spending my day in the manner that I have planned, I will be doing the needful.
Message for my mother: It's actually in the poem I've written for her, but that's in Hindi so; I will give you its meaning for now -- "While I sat wondering what I'd gift you in life, you gave me yourself as a gift." She's the most wonderful gift in my life.
'I will do the housework and give my mother a chance to rest'
Twenty-year-old Mumbaiite Onisha Dhar, a student of biotech engineering, believes the whole Mother's Day concept is a commercial gimmick, but that won't stop her from helping out with the housework on Sunday!
My plan for Mother's Day: I don't believe in these 'days' per se. I think these commercial novelty stores invent such them only to push their customers into buying gifts and other fancy items. I feel they literally use people's emotions to bring benefit to their businesses. Besides, mothers and fathers are not special only on one particular day; they are special everyday. For that matter, Mother's Day should be celebrated everyday. Besides, when it comes to plans for Mother's Day I think I'd rather give my mother some rest and do the household chores myself, rather than spend money on materialistic things.
How the recession has affected my plan: My plans are such that there's no question of the recession coming into the picture. So it's not affecting me at all.
Message for my mother: She has been a very good mother and I hope I add on to her values and make a better mother out of myself when I'm older.
'Aai, we all love you'
Corporate employee Nitin Shenvi, 33, from Bangalore, has no big plan up his sleeve, but he did have a special message for his mom:
My plan for Mother's Day: I would like to go for a walk with her to a local park in our neighborhood and enjoy a talk. Then I will surprise her with a fresh bouquet of flowers. This is just a plan and I hope it materialises.
How the recession has affected my plan: Yes, it is indeed affecting us. I cannot take her out to dinner or shopping -- no gifts planned, either.
Message for my mother: Aai, we all love you. You have been so selfless all through your life. Thanks for being there always!
'I cannot afford an expensive evening'
Delhiite Pratap Kumble, a 24-year-old assistant manager with an online solutions firm wants to make sure his mom enjoys her special day:
My plan for Mother's Day: To take mom out to dinner with the whole family and make sure she is the centre of attention. Treat her like a queen basically. This year I will spend more time with her and listen to her a little more.
How the recession has affected my plan: Quite badly, I cannot afford an expensive evening.
Message for my mother: It's short and sweet -- love you, Mom!
'I'm gifting her a sari'
This will be a special Mother's Day for Kaushik Muthanna, a 22-year-old corporate employee from Bangalore -- he's gifting his mother something from his own money for the first time:
My plan for Mother's Day: I am planning to gift her a sari; since I'm working now, that will be my first gift to her. I might even take her out for dinner.
How the recession has affected my plan: Although there has been a two percent deduction in my salary, it hasn't affected me greatly. So it won't affect my plan either.
Message for my mother: I'm too confused to think of one particular message, as there's so much to say about her. However, I'd like to say: 'Your words have always been a motivating factor of my life. I love you, Mom!'
'I'll do whatever she wants me to'
Here's what 20-year-old engineering student Pooja Desai from Mumbai wants to do:
My plan for Mother's Day: No great plans. Even if I buy my mom a gift, it'll be out of her own money so I don't see any point in buying her something! The best gift will be whatever she wants me to do for her. I think it's best to ask her only as to what she wishes me to do that day.
How the recession has affected my plan:Since I'm not spending any money, it's not affecting my plans at all.
Message for my mother: I really love her and care for her. She's the only person in the world on whom I can rely.
'Chocolates and flowers are mandatory!'
Jason Lopez, a 24-year-old regional marketing manager from New Delhi wants to go the traditional route, with no frills:
My plan for Mother's Day: I will buy her chocolates and flowers -- I feel they are mandatory gifts. Apart from that, I have no plans as such in mind.
How the recession has affected my plan: It has not affected me personally.
Message for my mother: Thank you for everything that you have done for me.
'I don't believe in these 'days''
And finally, we have 26-year-old Mandira Gupta, 26, an investment banker from Delhi who is not buying into Mother's Day at all!
My plan for Mother's Day: I don't believe in these 'days'; none of them exist on my calendar. So I don't even know when Mother's Day is. I feel it's more relevant to people in the US as they usually celebrate these days. I only consider International Women's Day which is on the 8th of March, as it is celebrated universally.
How the recession has affected my plan: After what I've said, it's evident my plans are not getting affected by the recession!
Message for my mother: I love you, Mamma and thanks for being there.
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