Dhanteras is traditionally a day for buying gold, silver and other auspicious items, and this year Indians spent record amounts. Sushmita Sen marked the festival differently. She posted selfies taken in the car with her younger daughter, Alisah, and said a daughter is the greatest wealth a parent can have.
The 'Main Hoon Na' actress shared a series of pictures on Instagram from the drive to Alisah's school for a parent-teacher meeting. In the photos, mother and daughter are dressed in black, and Sushmita is wearing sunglasses.
"Selfie shoot on the way to Alisah's School for Parent Teacher Meeting!!! What can I say, this is how we roll!!! Besides, I love sharing ANY space this beautiful Angel occupies!!!" she wrote.
She used the occasion to share her own idea of Dhanteras. "I wish every parent knows the joy of having a Daughter….Truest 'DHAN' ever!!! Happyyyyy Dhanteras to you & all your loved ones!!! Sending abundance your way…always!! I love you guys!!!" the actress wrote.
The message fits the festival. 'Dhan' means wealth, and by calling her daughter her truest 'Dhan', Sushmita shifted the focus from gold to family on a day usually associated with shopping. Her post also celebrates daughters at a time when many families still place more value on sons.
A parent-teacher meeting is an ordinary school routine. Sushmita's post shows that she treats these everyday moments as worth celebrating, something she has often done when sharing glimpses of her family life.
A Family Built on Choice
Sushmita has long been one of the best-known voices in Indian entertainment on single parenthood and adoption. She adopted her elder daughter, Renee, in 2000, and Alisah joined the family in 2010. Over the years, she has often shared moments from her daughters' lives and spoken openly about their bond.
In August, she wrote a birthday note for Alisah, describing her as a beautiful, thoughtful, kind and generous soul. Sushmita revealed that she chose the name Alisah because it means "God's precious gift." In the note she wrote, "I am proud of who you are & the grace of God that flows through you!!! I remain in awe of your simplicity…love you sooooooo much."
Her Dhanteras post follows the same pattern as her earlier posts about her daughters: personal moments shared with fans, along with a broader message about family.
This story is based on a post shared on Sushmita Sen's official Instagram account.