India, Feb. 13 -- When I was asked to write something about love for Valentine's Day, I searched inside myself for the most potent love I've felt for anyone in my life. I grew up reading a lot of fiction, especially romance. So it should have been easy, but it wasn't.

A few years into the marriage, I understood that reality is far removed from books.

Then I heard that unconditional love exists only in a parent's heart. All the rest is wishful thinking. I wanted to become a mother then. I dreamt of being the perfect mother and loving my child like no one else has loved their child.

Loving a child is HARD WORK if you're honest about it

Twenty years after becoming a mother, I've realised that unconditional love is not a myth, but it's no...