Hyderabad Single Mom Fights Back: Why I Left My Daughter For A Life In Canada

HALIFAX / HYDERABAD — Manasa Banoth, a 28-year-old single mother from Hyderabad, found herself at the center of a digital firestorm this week after sharing a heartbreaking farewell video with her three-year-old daughter. The video, which has amassed over 2.8 million views, shows Manasa entering an airport while her toddler weeps behind her—a moment she captioned, “I left my heaviest piece of my heart behind.”

While the footage was meant to document the sacrifice of an international student, it instead triggered a wave of “mom-shaming,” with commenters accusing her of prioritizing “materialistic realities” over her child.

1. The Reality Behind the “Excuse”

Speaking from Canada, where she is currently a student, Manasa addressed the critics who claimed being a single mother was an “excuse” to leave her child.

• The Struggle in India: After fleeing a marriage marred by domestic violence, Manasa worked as an HR professional in India earning just ₹35,000 per month. “It was hardly enough to support us,” she explained.
• The Ambition: Seeking a higher-paying career, she enrolled in a Master’s in Internetworking at Dalhousie University, Canada, in September 2024.
• The Grind: To avoid being a financial burden on her father, who funded her tuition, Manasa now balances her intensive studies with two part-time jobs—one at a coffee shop and another at a restaurant—to cover her rent and utilities.

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A post shared by kitchen tales by manasa banoth (@kitchentaless)

2. The Passport Deadlock: Why the Daughter Stayed

A major point of criticism was why Manasa didn’t simply take her daughter with her. The answer, she reveals, lies in a complex legal battle.

• Missing Consent: Under current laws, a father’s consent is typically required for a minor’s passport. Manasa’s ex-husband, who cut off all contact after the birth in March 2022, has refused to cooperate.
• Legal Action: Manasa is currently pursuing a legal route to obtain her daughter’s passport independently. Until that case is settled, the three-year-old is legally unable to leave India.
• Support System: For now, the child is in the care of Manasa’s parents in Hyderabad, whom she describes as her “only pillar of support.”

3. Fighting the “Trauma to Testimony” Pipeline

The backlash on Instagram was swift and brutal, with users telling her that “no Canadian PR passport” could replace lost time.

• The “Bad Mom” Myth: Critics ignored the fact that many migrant parents leave children behind temporarily to establish financial stability.
• The Goal: Manasa aims to become a Network Engineer. Her objective is clear: to earn enough so her father no longer has to shoulder the responsibility of her daughter’s upbringing.

4. A Single Mother’s Journey: By the Numbers