Mother's Day

Mother's Day History

Mother's Day is dedicated to expressing love, respect, and gratitude towards the incredible women who have profoundly impacted our lives - our mothers. This heartwarming day fosters the bond between children and their mothers, regardless of age, as people take this opportunity to appreciate the dedication, sacrifices, and unconditional love they receive from these remarkable figures. The essence of the occasion lies in acknowledging the vital role that mothers play in shaping our lives, and celebrating their innumerable contributions to our emotional, moral, and cultural growth.

The observance of Mother's Day dates back to the early 20th century when Anna Jarvis, an American social activist, inaugurated the event to honor her mother Ann Reeves Jarvis. A strong proponent of maternal affection, Jarvis envisioned this day as an intimate affair where children honor their mothers with handwritten letters and white carnations, which symbolize virtue, purity, and the sweetness of a mother's love. Over time, the tradition spread worldwide, adopting various forms and significance, encompassing the acknowledgment of mother figures like grandmothers, aunts, and foster mothers in the celebrations.

Mother’s Day in India is celebrated by expressing heartfelt gratitude and love for the women who hold an irreplaceable position in our hearts and lives. Mother's Day is observed on the second Sunday of May each year.

Mother's Day facts

• Julia Ward Howe, the author of The Battle Hymn of the Republic, came up with the notion of a Mother's Day in 1870. In a proclamation, she urged mothers to take a stand against sons killing the sons of other mothers.
• In the animal kingdom, Orangutan moms are the "primate champion" of motherhood, having the longest dependent care period among great apes, with their offspring weaning off at about 6 to 7 years old.
• India has made significant progress in reducing maternal mortality rates; the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) declined from 556 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 113 per 100,000 live births in 2018.
• The idea of celebrating Mother's Day in India was initiated by K. M. Munshi, a well-known Indian freedom fighter, who suggested the idea to a women's organization in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1926.

In the News and Trending in India for Mother's Day

Top things to do in India for Mother's Day

• Send mom and grandma flowers. You can either pick them up and deliver them yourself if you are nearby or use one of many online services that ship directly to her door.
• Give mom a gift she will really appreciate - a day at the spa or a weekend off.
• Visit the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, which hosts a special Mother's Day food festival every year. The festival showcases traditional Indian cuisine from different regions of the country, and offers cooking demonstrations and tastings.
• Experience the beauty of Indian classical dance on Mother's Day. The Shriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra in New Delhi holds a special dance performance every year on Mother's Day.