This Mother’s Day, mid-day celebrates an extraordinary group of women who’ve redefined what it means to be a provider, nurturer and changemaker. Meet the unsung heroes of Mumbai—mothers who transformed their modest kitchens into powerhouses of hope, independence and livelihood. These moms have beaten the odds and build stronger, self-reliant lives for themselves and their families—dish by dish, step by step. (Story by Nascimento Pinto)
Updated On: 2025-04-22 11:43 AM IST
Compiled by : Nascimento Pinto
Zoya Mulla, a Vasai-based mother of three, runs a homegrown food venture called Sweet Home Bakery. After initially pursuing a career in fashion design, she took a break following the birth of her first daughter. What began as a simple hobby during that time at home slowly turned into a passion—and eventually, a full-fledged business. "Someone had to step up to ensure financial stability, and I was in a position to do so," adds 33-year-old Mulla, who has expertise in fondant cakes and baking
Today, 33-year-old Zoya balances running her food business with raising three daughters and managing her household. While the journey hasn’t been easy, it’s her love for cooking—and her unwavering dedication to her family—that keeps her going
Read full story: Not a cakewalk: How this Vasai mother found financial independence through baking
Sunita Gonsalves, also a proud Vasaikar, began her culinary journey in 2005 with humble beginnings—selling vada pav, chicken pattice pav and offering simple, home-style catering services to her local community. Over the years, her flavourful dishes and warm service have earned her a loyal customer base. What started as a small effort to support her family has grown into a dependable livelihood, driven by hard work, resilience and a deep-rooted love for feeding people
While Sunita has always loved cooking, it was her family’s financial challenges that pushed her to turn that passion into a livelihood. What began as a necessity has now become a thriving food business she has been running successfully for the past 20 years
Just like Mulla and Gonsalves, Neysha Pereira from Orlem, Malad, started her home food business during a difficult time—after her husband had to leave his job on a cruise liner due to medical reasons
Read full story: Mother’s Day 2025: Meet the Malad mom who fearlessly defied the odds to support her family
With strong support from her neighbourhood and church community, 50-year-old Neysha was able to get her food business off the ground. But in 2021, her world changed when she lost her husband. Since then, she has been singlehandedly managing both her home and her food business, while raising her two teenage sons with strength and determination
