Happy Father's Day!

As I lazily got up late on a rainy Sunday morning, and picked up the newspaper, articles about Father’s day spread across the edition caught my eye. Famous fathers and famous children with their special plans on Father’s day were spread all across. I reached out to my phone and wished mine. Afterall, he may not be famous for the world, but he means the world to me. Did I miss being with him on father’s day? Well, I miss him everyday since I left the house to start a job.

Today is the day dedicated to fatherhood- that special but relatively underplayed emotion. Underplayed because men, by convention are expected to be a bit lacking on emotions or per say – the show of it. Also, as I hear from earlier generations that the relationship between fathers and their kids was much more formal at that time. Fathers were to be talked to in hushed tones- that too only when absolutely required. And while mothers spoilt their sons/daughters, fathers were strict disciplinarians not be messed with. What they said was ‘pathar ki lakheer’ and kids couldn’t dare argue with them. Gradually times changed and so changed the father/kid equation, what with the concept of the metrosexual male catching up. Something which has remained same across generations is the fact that a father is every child’s hero. Every kid looks upto his father and idolizes him. Sons aspire to be like their dads when they grow up and daughters always look for their dad’s qualities in their life partner. While fathers may not usually look after the physical needs of a child like the mother does, he has a huge part to play in the emotional growth of his children. What a big responsibility fathers carry on their shoulders!

Luckily, I share a wonderful, friendly relationship with my father. Baba has been my best friend all these years. People often say that a father-daughter relationship is a strong and special bond- how true! Fortunately, he has always encouraged an open communication, has always been ear for whatever I had to say- sensible or rubbish. As a kid, I used to wait for him eagerly to return from office so that I could share with him school anecdotes. Even after a tiring day at work, he would listen to them with full attention and give his valuable comments here and there. The ritual has survived till today – the difference being that now I come from office and the conversation happens over the phone. He has tolerated so many tantrums that I threw, tried to fulfill every wish I had.I believe he still sees his little girl in me - what with him recounting all the little things I did as a child even today.My father has been a great support for me. He has taught me to differentiate right from wrong, to stand by my values, to work hard and be honest. I have grown up absolutely clinging to the mindset- 'What father does is always right' and have learnt from him how to take my own decisions and stick to them.Our relationship is even more special because he has played the dual role of mother and father for most part of my life. He has made a lot of sacrifices for me, retired from his job early to look after me. He has been dad,mom,sibling,friend – all in one for me. 

Father’s day being a relatively new concept in India, my father and many of his like are quite unaware of it. Still my father feels good when I wish him. I know its not a special occasion for him, coz he hasn’t known an occasion like this for most part of his life, but surely it feels good to have a day dedicated to you – a recognition from the world for what you have done. There’s nothing special that we do this day, since we are far apart. So I try to make whatever time I get with him, special and memorable. He is my hero after all and I  am his little princess.I really really love him lots! He surely deserves huge accolades on this day and everyday!