‘Ko Jagarti’: Celebrating motherhood as a profession

Nagpur: Celebrating a job that is often forgotten in the paid workforce ‘Motherhood’ was the motive of the symposium titled ‘Ko Jagarti’ held at Kavi Kulguru Kalidas auditorium, Persistent Systems, Gayatri Nagar on Saturday evening.
The seminar was organized by Omega Hospital and Om Charitable Trust in association with The Nagpur Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society, Rotary Club of Nagpur Downtown, Maharashtra chapter of ISAR, FOGSI Endocrinology and Public Awareness Committees and Indian Society of Anaesthesia.

Former vice-chancellor of Mumbai University and eminent paediatric surgeon Dr Snehalata Deshmukh, two-time national award-winning classical singer Arti Ankalikar Tikekar and director of Omega Hospital Dr Chaitanya Shembekar were the chief speakers. Renuka Deshkar conducted the conference.

When asked to share her views, Deshmukh said, “Motherhood is definitely a profession. People consider 3 ‘M’s — men, machine and material, in various fields. I urge them to assess the 3 ‘W’s — women, wealth and wisdom.”

Tikekar said, “My mother has unconditionally nurtured our family and proved that motherhood can indeed be a career and should be accepted universally.”

Discussing the case study of a particular patient, Shembekar said, “Mothers often feel guilty about either not paying attention at home or ‘sacrificing’ their lives behind fostering their children. This should be perceived as a choice rather than a sacrifice.”

Deshmukh added, “The first five years of a child’s life is of utmost importance. To send children into adulthood who are morally responsible and emotionally mature takes an incredible amount of time and energy. It takes intelligence and skill. The profession of motherhood allows a woman to devote her time, education, and experience to the nurturing of her family.”

Advocating equality, Tikekar said, “As families have evolved, the practice of being a househusband has become more common and it should be socially accepted as well.”

Speaking to TOI, Shembekar said, “In our charitable trust we conduct various social activities under the theme ‘Ko Jagarti’ which means who is aware?” These events are organized to sensitize people regarding numerous issues which hold importance in our day-to-day life.”

(Reporting by Manshika Vaikkath)