Breaking the mould, new age moms-in-law turn changemakers

Lucknow: The relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law is often reduced to tired jokes about kitchen one-upmanship and constant attempts to sabotage each other's plans, but the bond is often strong and beautiful.There are many women who have been shattering stereotypes in their everyday lives.
Manju Dixit, 67, proves she is a superhero in a saree. Despite suffering from acute rheumatoid arthritis, she starts her day at 4am, cooking up a storm for her daughters-in-law and grandkids, so that her talented daughters-in-law could focus on their careers.Manju, a resident of Ghaziabad proves that a mother-in-law can be a best friend and an invaluable support system for her daughter-in-law.Ritvija, an ophthalmologist, and Manisha, an architect, are identical twins who couldn't ask for a more supportive mother-in-law."Growing up, I was surrounded by stories of the stereotypical mother-in-law – the one who is nagging and controlling. I even saw it happening around me, and in movies and TV serials. But my mother-in-law proved that this relationship can also be positive and loving," says 45-year-old Ritvija."My mother-in-law is a rockstar. She showers us with love, support, and friendship. It is crazy how society focuses on the drama, but our family has a different vibe. I'm treated like a daughter, and this has made our household super loving," she adds."Not all in-laws are conservative who want their ‘bahus' to pull a ‘ghoonghat' (veil) or touch their feet in the morning," says Manju.Vibha Dube, 62, of Prayagraj is also rewriting the narrative. She shut down her creche to take care of her household and two-year-old grandkid, so her daughter-in-law could pursue a career in law."Real-life relationships are way more different from what we see on television. Closing a decade-old creche was not easy, but my mother-in-law did it for me despite my husband's opposition," recalls Toshi.Gayatri Agnihotri, 67, from Lucknow's Vrindavan Yojana sold her house in Prayagraj so that her ‘bahu' could settle in Mumbai to pursue a career in scriptwriting. She went against her family to sell her property which was one of her sources of living after the death of her husband in 2021."If it were my daughter, I would not have hesitated. Why should it be different for a daughter-in-law?" asks Gayatri.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's day wishes, messages and quotes !