Is it Mother-in-law 'Evil'?

“Mother-in-law” may well be an anagram of “Hitler Woman”, but is she always the Great Dictator as she is portrayed! Simona Terron goes backstage and profiles three mothers-in-laws, to find out whether they are friends to their daughters-in-law and whether they are adored and admired by them.

The mother-in-law yet remains a formidable force – or does one say foe – in many a household. The bane of many a daughter-in-law's existence, with whom she abhors sharing her son who is the embodiment of all that's perfect on earth, the mother-in-law has been the cause of many a premature death of marital bliss, if not the daughter-in-law herself!

In a study conducted in the year 2001, it was estimated that approximately 25,000 women are 'murdered' every year on issue of dowry, and the mother-in-law is the main culprit behind the killing.

But, the stereo-type image, perpetrated further by Bollywood and satellite television serials does not hold true in all cases. Not any more at least. There are mothers-in-law who make for great friends and companions to their daughters-in-law, take care of the kids and grocery shopping, and even pack dabbas to take to office for their daughters-in-law. Unbelievable? Certainly not. For such paragons of virtue do exist and as proof we have here three such first person accounts of the lucky, lucky few who have been blessed with such fine mothers-in-law.