As millions celebrate Mother’s Day around the world, one story from Salem continues to stand out as a heartbreaking reminder of a mother’s sacrifice for her children.

Years ago, Prema, a widowed mother of three from Salem, made a desperate decision after running out of money to feed her family. With no financial help available and hunger pushing her children toward despair, she cut off and sold her hair for just Rs 150 to buy food.

The incident, which first gained attention in 2019, remains one of India’s most widely shared human survival stories linked to motherhood, poverty, and resilience.

Prema was only 31 when tragedy struck her family. Her husband, Selvam, a daily wage laborer at a brick kiln, died by suicide after mounting debt reportedly pushed the family into financial collapse. Left alone with children aged five, three and two, Prema struggled to survive amid pressure from lenders and worsening poverty.

According to local accounts from the time, Prema spent Friday, May 17, 2019, seeking help from relatives and neighbors but returned empty-handed. Soon afterward, a buyer collecting human hair for wig-making passed through the neighborhood.

In desperation, she sold her hair and used most of the money to buy food for her children.

The story shocked many across India after local resident G Bala shared her situation on social media. Public support quickly followed, with donations reportedly reaching nearly Rs 1.45 lakh. Local authorities later approved financial assistance for Prema, including a widow pension, while community members helped arrange employment for her.

Stories like Prema’s continue to reshape how many people view Mother’s Day — not just as a celebration, but as a reflection of sacrifice, struggle and unconditional love. Ironically, even Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother’s Day, later expressed regret over how commercialized the occasion had become.
 

For many, the story remains more than a viral incident. It has become a symbol of the silent struggles faced by countless mothers battling poverty while trying to protect their children.

Even years later, Prema’s story continues to resurface every Mother’s Day as people remember the extraordinary lengths a mother will go to ensure her children do not sleep hungry.