### Udaipur, the City of Ideal Mothers-in-law and Daughters-in-law – Maya Kumbhat

Udaipur:Describing Udaipur as a city of ideal mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, Maya Kumbhat, the visionary and convener of the “Rajmati Adarsh Saas Shiromani Samman,” stated that anyone can give their daughter into a Udaipur family with complete peace of mind. She was addressing a heartwarming felicitation event held on Friday evening at Rotary Bajaj Bhawan near Fatehsagar Lake, organized by Inner Wheel Club to honour the tender bond between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law.

Kumbhat shared that the idea of this award took firm root when distressing news from Indore reported a daughter-in-law being stuffed into a sack. It underscored the need for this kind of positive initiative and its wider reach. Today, this award is no longer just an accolade but an honour. Once conferred, society naturally associates the recipient with the dignity of being an “ideal mother-in-law.” She thanked jury members Pushpa Kothari, Vijayalakshmi Chauhan, and Vijaylata Joshi, and urged the audience to read the heartfelt stories sent by daughters-in-law as part of the nomination process.

Sociologist and Chief Guest Vijayalakshmi Chauhan, in her address, said that the bond between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in Indian families is not merely formal but an emotional bridge. This bridge, built on experience, tradition, and love, connects generations. When nurtured with dialogue, affection, and respect, it strengthens the foundation of a family and spreads harmony in society. She added that the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) is truly reflected in the spirit of this award.

Guest of Honour and social worker Sonu Surana praised the initiative, calling it a step toward rebuilding trust and understanding across generations. “When a mother-in-law becomes a mother and the daughter-in-law becomes a daughter, the home becomes a temple,” she said.

Inner Wheel Club President Chandrakala Kothari announced that this year’s “Inner Wheel Rajmati Adarsh Saas Shiromani 2024–25” was awarded to 95-year-old Dhapu Devi Pagaria and her 67-year-old daughter-in-law Sunita Pagaria. They were honoured by the Vijaymal-Rajmati Charitable Trust with ₹11,000 cash, a gold pendant, dinner coupons, dental checkups, gift hampers, and other prizes.

Four other mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pairs were honoured with “Adarsh Saas Samman”:

Laxmi Devi Nahata with Jyoti & Chetna Nahata

Urmila Bohra with Seema Bohra

Ratan Paliwal with Pooja Paliwal

Shanta Devi Bafna with Anupama Bafna

Club Secretary Advocate Babita Jain mentioned that the award was instituted 25 years ago and this year marked its seventh edition. The objective is to promote harmony, dialogue, and mutual respect in mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships.

She also acknowledged the contribution of many supporters, including:

Mohan Manwani of Alankar Jewellers for the gold pendant

Rakesh Jain of Roopshree Sarees for sarees

Radheshyam Soni of Shubhlaxmi Jewellers for silver photo frames

Upesh Jain Malasia of Priyanka Plastic and Vinod Jain of Kitchen King for gift hampers

Dr. Sumer Meena of Dental Specialist Centre, Ashok Nagar for free dental checkups

Ashok Jain Dosi of Little Italy Restaurant for dinner coupons for the winning pair and other finalists

All contributors were thanked by the Inner Wheel Club.

The daughters-in-law shared emotional stories of love and respect during the ceremony, leaving many in the audience teary-eyed. Even after the event concluded, conversations continued around the importance of strengthening this familial bond. As it was rightly said during the evening – the woman is the axis of the family, and a relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law filled with affection, respect, and values is the cornerstone of family prosperity.