RM Article: Mother-In-Law The Nemesis!

Can Aarti Scindhia of Punar Vivaah, be the nemesis of Mrs. Gayathri Scindhia?

Goosebumps? Shivers? Hatred? Venom? I bet a lot of spouses go through these varied emotions and many more, just at the mere thought of a mother-in-law. Who can blame them? They have been through horrific experiences, or heard horrible incidents, probably had nightmares dealing with mothers-in-law, on both ends, be it a husband or a wife.

Let me try and put a different spin to the "Mother-in-law syndrome". I always had and still do, a penchant for always voicing for the underdog. As always, my disclaimer states that any views expressed on this platform are purely my over imaginative mind, playing its normal tune of abnormality, with no intention to hurt or harm anyone. It is an attempt to throw a different light on the mothers-in-law and maybe make us take a step backwards to assess the situation. An attempt for us to just give a second thought as to why we tend to block our minds of any chance to nurture a relation with a mother-in-law.

Granted we are bestowed with different types of mothers-in-laws, same way as different types of mothers, fathers, uncles and the whole bandwagon of relations under the sunny sky. We have Mrs. Shobha Dubey on one end, and Mrs. Gayathri on the other end. Mrs Dubey might be the ideal mother-in-law, but unless you live with her as a daughter-in-law, her quirks are unknown. Every person comes into this world equal. Upbringing, values, morals and ethics taught by our environment, is what makes us the person we choose to become. Just because a mother happens to love unconditionally and is a great person, there is no guarantee that it would remain the same when she becomes a mother-in-law. Society, circumstances, situations, obligations, are but just a few culprits that mold our characters as we go along on the journey of life. I have been a witness on several occasions where a situation is meted out with the mothers-in-law differently when compared to other relations. Why the double standards? If both spouses can be blamed for an unsuccessful relation, then why is the blame only meted out on a mother-in-law? I have one of the most wonderful mothers-in-law, and we get along famously well. The relation was nurtured, supported and pampered to reach that level of harmony and understanding. Like any relation, it needs to be loved and supported.

How many daughters-in-law in today's society are taking the time and patience to understand their mothers-in-law, dissuade their fears and insecurities? How many have ever entertained the notion that your own mother might be a mother-in-law one day? Or is it because you as a daughter-in-law have your own insecurities, and
instead of resolving them, is just convenient to blame the "Evil Mother-in-law?" Lots of times in the TV shows, an act done by a lead is acclaimed and praised, yet the same act done by another character comes under scrutiny and mutiny! Every character need not be an epitome of perfection and virtue. A character may be like

Mrs. Gayathri who wants only the best for her son and we cannot rule out the fact that she is feeling insecure with the things that are happening around her. Every relation is like a beautiful flower, and flowers can be deadly! Beautiful flowers can be toxic and cause damage; yet we admire them, adorn them in our homes, enjoy them, gift them to our beloved people and even offer god during religious events. We need to work around the toxics of a relationship and create an atmosphere of harmony. To me Mrs. Gayathri Scindhia is the perfect Oleander!

Beautiful and dangerous! She can be ignored and suppressed to bring her deadly shoots to spread havoc in the household, or Aarti and Yash, along with the rest of the family, can control her toxic nature, nurture and support her so she does not feel threatened.

I have to confess that I am fascinated with her character to the point of obsession!
She is that perfect combination of sweet and vice, honey and venom. She is not dressed garishly, looks simple, a typical homemaker, charming and elegant, yet she can be the devil personified. She is not evil, just a bored housewife, who suddenly faces the reality that she is not needed anymore by her sons or for that matter her husband too. She always has been a person living for the society, so it is no surprise
she gets easily influenced.

As Mrs. Gayathri Scindhia said "Ek haath se thaali nahi bhajti'." Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. And isn't Paridi's hide and seek game, an evidence of this volatile relation? I hope that Aarti with her patience and understanding will be the worthy daughter-in-law to address Mrs. Gayathri's insecurities and bring the love and happiness that is hiding behind her many concerns. A simple wish from my heart for all those intelligent and educated soon to be daughters-in-law, is to take a step back in their biased judgments and enter into a relation with an open mind and heart. . If both the wife and mother want to see their respective husband or son happy, then why the power struggle?

http://www.rangmunch.tv/index.php/writers-gully/reflections-menu/item/824-mother-in-law%E2%80%93the-nemesis