Mother’s Day Special:The bond that industry honchos share with their moms

Mummy, maa, mumma, amma, mom, aai... no matter what one addresses her as, a mother evokes a vision of unconditional love, unshakeable faith in her children and the glue that bonds families together. 

As the world celebrated Mother’s Day yesterday, May 14, 2017, Adgully reached out to a cross-section of India’s advertising and media honchos to find out the one message that they would like to dedicate to their mothers this Mother’s Day. 

Ashish Bhasin, Chairman & CEO- South Asia, Dentsu Aegis Network:
“Mama, we have recently lost Papa after over 60 years of your marriage with him, so I know it is a hole in all our lives, particularly yours, that can never be filled. However, this Mother’s Day, your children and grandchildren, by living the values he stood for, will help ensure he is always with us. Be brave and keep his legacy going.”  

Babita Baruah, Managing Partner, WPP GTB India (Global Team Blue):
“Thank you, Maa, for being a wonderful mum. But an even more awesome dad. You wore both shoes boldly and showed us that life is truly beautiful, no matter what.”

Vivek Bhargava, CEO, DAN Performance Group:
“My mother introduced me to competitive sports at an early age, which taught me two things – hard work makes you better at things and losing is the only way to learn how to win. This learning became my mantra in life thereafter and I have always practised it in everything I do. It has made me what I am today and what I ever will be. The person I am today is all thanks to her and that I believe is the greatest dedication I can give her this Mother’s Day!” 

Pradeep Dwivedi, CEO, Sakal Media Group:
“Born with the name Annapoorna, derived from Sanskrit meaning ‘the giver of food and nourishment’. Anna (अन्न) means ‘food’ or ‘grains’ and pÅ«rṇa (पूर्ण) means ‘full, complete and perfect’. She is synonymous with an avatar of Parvati, the wife of Shiva and has always provided food for nourishment, thought and soul for all of us in our family. A brave-heart, not bound by constraints of geography, languages, cultures and finances, always ahead of her time, loving, affectionate, kind, caring, the proverbial backbone of a proud Air Force officer, a lady to a gentleman, mother to me and my two beautiful, bright sisters. These are just a few in a million words that describe the wonderful enigma and beacon of inspiration that my mom has been to me. On this Mother’s Day, all I can express is eternal gratitude to her, and hope that I have made her proud.” 

Monica Tata, Chief Operating Officer, BTVi:
“In as much it might be clichéd, my mother has been my inspiration and role model. To have achieved so much in life at work and family was something I started appreciating only when I became a working mother myself. On this Mother’s Day, I want to let her know...
She is my sunshine, 
my only sunshine, 
she makes me happy 
when skies are grey
Happy Mother’s Day!” 

Ramesh Narayan, Founder, Canco Advertising:
“A mother gives unconditionally. She is probably the most underrated person in our lives. And the tragedy is we realise this too late. Let’s make every day Mother’s Day. Because she certainly made everyday our day.”