PATHANAMTHITTA: Three-and-a half-year-old Malhar wanted to spend time with his mother on the holiday. So,he accompanied her to an event. While she was speaking, he went near the dais, she picked him up and then continued her speech. These beautiful moments happened in the valedictory ceremony of Adoor International Film Festival. Deputy speaker Chittayam Gopakumar posted the picture of the adorable moments between Pathanamthitta collector Dr Divya S Iyer and her son Malhar on Facebook. While many people supported the collector, some others criticised her.

Poet Rajeev Alunkal’s criticism triggered a response from collector’s husband and ex-MLA Sabarinath. He said that Divya usually spends Sundays with her son as it is a holiday during her busy schedule and it is what happened in Adoor. He added that she had informed the organizers about this. Divya works from 10 am to 8 pm. Malhar will cry if he doesn't see Divya after 8pm. Sabarinath's observation was that this is a problem faced by most of the working women. With this, the discussion turned towards the difficulties of working mothers.

“We supported when Senator Larissa Waters and Canadian Minister Karina Gould breastfed their babies in the Parliament and when New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern came to the UN General Assembly with her baby. When it happens here, people consider it as obscene”, this was the argument raised by people who supported the IAS officer.

“I'm glad that the issue had led to discussions rather than the controversy. Some mothers cannot look after their baby even when they are sick. I usually ask if there is any difficulty if my son accompanies me to the programs on Sunday. It is good for children to attend such cultural functions. There were many kids in Adoor too.", said Dr Divya S Iyer.