LAHORE: People across the city celebrated Mother’s Day with full enthusiasm to express love for their mothers by presenting them roses, gifts, cakes and treats, acknowledging her selfless soul and countless sacrifices for the children and family members. Children expressed their love and feelings to their mothers in different ways. Some children presented flowers to their mothers early morning with a cup of tea and a hug. Many children also celebrated the day by giving a day’s rest to their mothers from routine work and prepared dishes for them. Some also presented them delicious cakes with Mother’s Day quotes and wishes written on them, and decorated their rooms with greeting cards, balloons and family pictures. Several people also visited the graveyards early morning and offered fateha for their deceased mothers. Family activities mostly increased on this day, as people had arranged outings and get-together parties at parks, restaurants and hotels. Several restaurants offered up to 40 percent discount on meals to make it a special day for mothers, but on the condition of bringing the mothers along. Many clothing brands also offered special discounts on their products to celebrate Mother’s Day. Most of the TV channels broadcasted special programmes on Mother’s Day, while newspapers also published special editions to pay tribute and shed light on mother’s importance. The social media was also fully covered with the posts of Mother’s Day wishes along with tagging posts and statuses to mothers. Some events were also held to pay tribute to mothers on Sunday. Rana Nayyar, talking to Daily Times, said, “I specially came from Saudi Arabia to meet my heavenly mother. I cannot pay her back for her countless sacrifices that she had rendered for me, and for bringing me into this world. It is not easy to live abroad without family members, especially mothers and children.” He said that everyone should respect and serve their mothers, as she is “a precious gift from God”. Kinza Amjad said, “My mother is a blessing of God. She is my bestest (sic) friend, who keeps my secret and tells me what’s right and wrong. Her decisions can never be wrong in any way. At every turn she pushes me to be better, she teach me to do right in life. I am what I am because of her. She is the best thing that had ever happened to me. Although I tease her a lot, this makes me happy and her also. I hate those children who left their parents alone for their own life. I really don’t believe in that. They give us all freedoms, and just outlined some boundaries. That’s all she expects from us in return. I guess if these boundaries weren’t present, we’ll never learn from our mistakes.” “Mother always protects us from bigger mistakes,” she added. Zakia Rizwan said that her mother was not alive, but “I always feel close to her during hard times”. With moist eyes, she said, “I specially prepared her favourite dishes and distributed them among the poor people. I also visited her grave and offered fateha.” She further said that there was no alternative to mother in the world.