What does it mean to be a mother in today’s ever-changing world? How do different cultures shape motherhood? These were the questions that drove four Indian women to embark on an extraordinary journey spanning continents, meeting mothers, and sharing experiences across borders. Their mission, called Mothers on Wheels, aims to understand how motherhood and family structures evolve across different cultures.
Meet Madhuri Sahasrabudhe, Avanti Dixit, and Urmila Joshi, the fearless women behind “Mothers on Wheels,” who are embarking on their second expedition, which starts in Bhutan. The fourth member of the group, Sheetal Deshpande, will join them later on from Indonesia.
Having visited 45 cities in 22 countries, the group now intends to travel across Southeast Asia as well as New Zealand and Australia.
According to Madhuri, the founder of Mothers on Wheels, their main motive is travelling to study and raise awareness about the crucial role mothers play in raising children with strong values.
Madhuri Sahasrabudhe said, “We have noticed that there is very little research or documentation on mothers, motherhood, and the role of a mother within a family, especially when dealing with her own children. When we examined societal issues, we realized that this is an area that needs to be studied, and we decided that we will do this study.”
The group intends to cover 10 countries in four months.
While in Bhutan, the group will travel to Bumthang, Trashigang, and Samdrup Jongkhar, where they will engage with local mothers.
“I am especially excited to be here because Bhutan is known for its high happiness index. I am eager to understand how mothers contribute to this happiness and play a role in shaping the well-being of their families and communities,” said Madhuri Sahasrabudhe.
The group met nearly 300 mothers during their first expedition from Delhi to London in 2018.
“When we visited France, instead of a mother, a 24-year-old young man attended our meeting. He seemed very disturbed and started asking me about the purpose of marriage. When I inquired further, he shared that he had grown up in a foster home and had never experienced family life, a father’s love, or a mother’s love. This is the scenario of our society today,” said Madhuri.
Next year, they plan to host an international conference in Delhi, inviting mothers from around the world, including Bhutan. She said that the event will serve as a platform to discuss motherhood, family structures, and woman empowerment on a global scale.
They also plan to document their experiences in a book and share the untold stories of the mothers they have met along the way.
Kinley Bidha
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
