My mom started taking tuitions from the age of 15 to support her younger brothers. It gave her financial independence. After finishing her Masters she got a job offer in Delhi Police Headquarters. But it was already a struggle for the past 7 years, so she thought that she should settle down in life. Fate had other things planned for her.
A toxic relationship
Marriage did not work well. For some unfathomable reasons, her in-laws’ side ganged up against her and made her life miserable. After I was born she had to take up a call to leave them in Agra and come back to Delhi.
She started from scratch again. Took up a job and started taking tuitions again. Her brothers were very supportive but she decided not to depend on them. The most important point is that she wanted to raise me by being financially independent. She also did not want to impede her brothers families who were also at that point of settling down.
I got the best of education
After completing schooling from St Thomas, I joined Hindu College. I finished my masters from JNU. More than just studying, it was the culture of education that was imbibed in me.
On her own front, she chose the education field for her career. She joined Beni Prasad Jaipuria Public School in Poorvi Pitampura as a teacher. It was her hard work and determination which led her to get promoted as headmistress. After working more than 20 years in that school, she finally took VRS in 2020.
The balancing act called life
I grew up watching my mother live her life. Her life has been a story of adjustments. I was brought up in the company of her brothers and their wives and children. It is not an easy thing to bring up a child in such an atmosphere, maintaining a poise and balance. But she did it with grace and elan. It was a big achievement of pursuing a career and raising a child at the same time.
On the job front as a teacher she worked hard to expand the school. In a way she worked as a brand ambassador for the school so that it has a name and reputation in that area. She organised events and competitions so that the popularity of the school increases word by mouth. She visited govt departments and offices to get the necessary permissions for the expansion of the school. That is what I saw in my mom, hard work and commitment. For the school events and functions she used to herself go to the market to hunt down items for lesser cost to save money. This way she made a name for herself and the school. She is my inspiration and now I am also a teacher continuing her noble profession.
She took retirement just before the first wave of COVID and lockdown hit the country. This is the second time that she will be taking time out for herself. She has worked hard her whole life and she does deserve this break. But now that the schools are opening up all over the city, she is getting calls seeking advice on how to do things at the school. Whether she gets her break or goes back to work, only time will tell.
Award by Business Mates Delhi
Anjali Batra has been recently selected for recognition by Business Mates Delhi.
A mother of two, Preeti Bhandari is a colloquial writer. She believes in simple living which reflects in her writings. As the Editor of Narisakti, she intends to use her vast experience to propel this platform to a cult status among entrepreneurial networks.
When not writing she is quilling, both with paper and thoughts.
