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The last week of the year is, undoubtedly, a much-awaited one. The weather is pleasant and scores of people plan long-distance outings and picnics during the last week of December. Many people put in an extra bit of effort during the last week of the year to wrap up unfinished work. Many others spend their Christmas holidays relaxing at home with their near and dear ones. Everybody, however, loves making resolutions for the New Year and sending greetings to friends and family members. Orissa POST spoke with a few women about their engagements during the last week of 2016.
Sangeeta Majhi from Bhubaneswar has many things to do before the New Year. The mother of two is an advocate by profession. “Both my professional and personal engagements are important to me,” she said. “My sons expect a lot from me, especially during the Christmas vacation. They want me to spend time with them. They are grown up and are perfectly capable of making holidays preparations themselves. This year, they have planned an outing and want me to join them. However, I have some pending court work during the holidays. On the last three days of the year, I will be totally occupied with work. But I enjoy my busy schedule.”
Smita Patra, a housewife, said: “Papuli is my only son. He is a student of Class II. He wants to visit our ancestral house during the holidays. His school will reopen January 2, 2017 after the vacation. Last year, his wish could not be fulfilled since my husband was busy with an assignment. But this year my hubby has promised he wouldn’t keep himself busy during Papuli’s winter vacation. In the last week, we will visit my mother’s house in Rayagada. Although I have a lot of work that demands instant attention, I have decided to finish them before December 25. I want to enjoy the holidays with my family and will be delighted to see my son spending time with his grandparents.”
Basanti Das is a busy mother. “Before marriage I was busy with so many things. Back then I had never thought that a housewife could have so many different obligations to fulfil. After marriage, I continued working for some months but had to eventually quit after I became a mother. My world revolves around the sorrows and joys of my child. I try my best to fulfil all his wishes. He wants us to organise a family picnic this year. If we finally manage to organise one, it will be the first family picnic of his life. We have travelled a lot but haven’t, so far, gone picnicking together. I want to make the picnic a memorable one for him. I know a picnic is a small affair and I can arrange it without much effort. But my major concern is my child’s happiness. Hence, from selecting the menu to the ideal location, I will singlehandedly do all that is required.”
Anita Shaw is a Plus Three commerce student who spends a lot of time studying and desperately wants to break free during the last week of the year. She said: “Even my parents have started asking me to take a break from studies. I love to read and spend a lot of time reading. This is one reason why I often skip special family get-togethers. But my parents have already announced that they won’t accept any excuse for not attending the family picnic scheduled to take place in the last week. I, too, need a break. My brother wants to play badminton with me during the winter holidays and has got a pair of rackets and about a dozen shuttlecocks. For me, the last week of the year will be one filled with merriment and lots of excitement.”
