Ninety-two-year old Naranjan Kaur was lost for words when she was honoured during a “Mother’s Day” celebration organised by the Sikh Youth Organisation (SNSM) at Sabha House in Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur, recently.
The mother of five was the oldest of the more than 500 mothers feted at the event.
She thanked SNSM for the recognition and commended the organisation for holding an event which not only helped promote a culture of filial piety but was a reminder to mothers that they were loved and appreciated.
“I didn’t expect to see such a big turnout. It makes me happy to see children and men celebrating this day. It is definitely heartening to note that we mothers are appreciated,” said Naranjan, who brought up her five children in Ipoh while her husband worked in Kuala Lumpur.
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| Seniors row: Oldest mum at the event Naranjan (right) cutting cakes to mark the event with the other elderly mums (from left) Sarjit Kaur, Mahinder Kaur, Charan Kaur, Surjit Kaur and Ranjit Kaur. |
And to Naranjan’s credit, all five did well despite being under their mother’s care most of the time.
Her oldest, Mahindar Singh had graduated as an engineer while the second, Dr Pall Singh is an eye specialist at Tun Hussein Eye Hospital in Petaling Jaya. Her third, Rattan Singh retired as a newspaper editor in Kuala Lumpur.
Her daughters, Newinder Kaur is a retired teacher while the youngest, Mahinder Kaur, is a company secretary
“Although my children celebrate my birthday on Mother’s Day every year. Today’s celebration is beyond words. It makes me happy to be in the midst of so many mothers who had made sacrifices for their kids,” said the great grandmother whose husband died 30 years ago.
All the mums were accorded “VIP” treatment for the evening by the organisers.
They were ushered to a square and given tokens for lucky draws. Their children and grandchildren were taken into a separate hall where they were entertained by volunteers.
Even their foreign domestic maids, who were mothers themselves, were asked to join in.
The celebration started with a brief prayer where volunteer Dr Harwinder Singh explained the role and the status of women in the Sikh religion.
He also spoke about their sacrifices and how they had always been the central figure in moulding families. When he got into his song, many quietly wept.
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Rib-tickling time: A group performing a hilarious sketch on |
Several groups then performed sketches, most of it being hilarious but at the same time educational. There were also poetry recitals and games.
A standout sketch was the “Bollywood-serial disease” which poked fun at mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law who would be glued to the television the entire day watching soap operas.
But everyone took it in good spirit as it was all in the name of fun.
Mothers were also entertained with a “poison-parcel” game where a wrapped box was passed around to the accompaniment of music. When the music stopped, the mother holding the parcel was hauled up to the stage and “punished” with little tasks such as singing, dancing or reciting poems.
The entire programme was interspersed with lucky draws. There were 40 in all and the prizes were hampers, electrical equipment and other household items.
There was also a cultural fest and extravaganza with bhangra music and the giddha, the Punjab’s folk dance.
Several mothers were asked to lend their voices while others took part in the giddha.
SNSM president Malkith Singh said the organisation decided to celebrate the event on a grand scale to inculcate in the minds of the young the sacrifices of the parents, particularly mothers in raising them.
“This event will be included in our calendar and every state where we have a representation will celebrate Mother’s Day from next year on,” he said adding that in some states, this was already being practised.
Malkith said SNSM also had an exhibition on the great Sikh women in history during the event.
The mothers and guests were later treated to a spread of Punjabi vegetarian goodies, traditional mithai (cookies) and a spread of local kuih such as kuih lapis and kuih sago with tea, Milo and cincau to down their food with.