Father's Day is coming up on June 20 and we invited readers to share unforgettable memories of the time they spent with their dad. Here are some of the responses we received. Share yours!
When I opened my eyes the first man I saw was my Dad. Handsome, proud, happy and so gentle! In the last 35 years, nothing has changed -- neither the way I look up to him nor the way he looks at me.
My dad has always been an epitome of all that a man should be...compassionate, tough, strong, gentle, firm, decisive, understanding and above all a man of values.
I can never forget this incident: We were staying in Ajmer and there is the Taragarh fort -- a hilltop fort (famous for two reasons: it has a graveyard where you do not get the same count twice and secondly it has a romantic connection too Prithviraj Chauhan had eloped with Sanyogita and come to hide at this fort).
It is a steep climb and a tough one. Once we had some relatives come over and they insisted that they wanted to visit the fort. My mom decided to stay back with me, as I was a just four years old and would not be able to climb so high. I walked up to dad and said "Daddy I want to see the fort too."
My dad convinced my mom that we all needed to go there and it will be fun. He lifted me on his shoulder and took the steep climb without as much as a flinch. I had the time of my life... a bird's eye view of all that one could see while being on the best seat available ... my dad's firm and strong shoulder!
Today I strive to be the strength of his shoulders because I am proud to be my dad's daughter. Love you dad...need you always.
- Rachna Raaj (in picture here with her father)
This is like a filmy story happened with me but here the Real Hero was my Dad. After 12th results we (my parents my sister and me) had to go for admissions in BITS Pilani from Latur. The plan was Friday night we catch a train from Latur to reach Pune. Saturday night there was Jhelum Express from Pune to reach Delhi. On Sunday or early Monday we would reach Pilani.
I asked my younger brother to make some copies of my mark sheet and leaving certificate just before the Friday night train. He went on his bicycle and returned with nothing.
While returning he lost all the papers, original as well as copies. Fifteen minutes before the trains departure all my family, neighbours were searching for those papers with torches as there were no lights on man made paths. Nobody had luck to find it. My brother cried and cried for a blunder that he did. Even now when he remembers.
At last my father told us to board the train, he would go to Aurangabad where the Board head office was and will try to get the duplicates and will join Saturday midnight at Manmaad.
My brother stayed back, three of us caught the train and my father went to Aurangabad by bus. He was an ordinary worker with no big connections. At Aurangabad the offices were all closed on Saturday and for duplicate certificates, there was a notice to apply and onl after three working days the certificates were issued.
Only my dad knows what he did there, Saturday night we boarded Jhelum Express reached Manmaad at mid night, We and the train was waiting for my Dad to arrive, as is shown in movies, even the TC told me that this is Manmaad look if your father arrives as I had earlier told him the story.
My Dad did not arrive, the train started to leave Manmaad, I was standing at the door with tears in my eyes and to my surprise, guess what, this thing we see only in films.
I saw in real life, My Dad caught running train at Manmaad with all the certificates. Till now, only he knows what he did there on a holiday and that too when he was told that certificates are issued three days after application
My Dad Real Hero, I owe everything (fifty percent to my mother) to him.
- Panchasheel Devidasrao Gandle, Latur, Pune.
For Abba his loved ones' happiness meant more to him than his own. Being from a middle class family and studying hard to get a job in a bank was a commendable feat for him.
He always put others happiness before his, thus gaining so much love and respect and earning a nickname 'Acche' meaning nice... so he became Acche Bhai to his siblings, Acche Chacha to his nieces and nephews and 'Acche Abbu' to me.
Ours was a conservative Muslim family where education was important to both the genders but the medium of instruction was Urdu. Abba went against this and enrolled me in a convent school thus breaking the norms. He encouraged me to pursue my studies and to have a steadfast career. While I was in two minds to join my dream company as it involved a lot of travel, he made me realise to always hold on to my dreams and pursue it. Thanks Abba for making me independent.
He had always shown the same measure of happiness at the birth of all his three daughters. For him we are his gems and 'sukoon' -- peace to his eyes.
Abba not only taught me the complexities of maths and science but also the true nuances of religion and faith. He instilled the belief that faith is the most important pillar of life. He taught me the joy of giving and sharing. Thanks Abba for making me content and faithful.
As children we don't understand the hardships our parents go through to make us safe and happy, Abba was transferred to Kashmir for three years in 1987. He struggled alone without his family but did not uproot his children from their familiar surroundings.
Thanks Abba for making me value every relationship.
When it was time for me to get married, I was scared he would reject my choice of husband but he wanted me to be happy and knew that my happiness depended on his acceptance. Thanks Abba for making me respect opinion of others.
The only time I saw Abba helpless was when my youngest sister was undergoing a very critical operation. He wept like a child on seeing her in so much pain. Thanks Abba for making me humane.
Whenever I am around him, I seem to be engulfed in a warm and serene cocoon. For me, my Abba is the epitome of all the goodness in this world and everyday is Father's Day.... I Love you Abba.
- Sabiha Shaikh
I am 30 and my father is 68 years old. I do not remember playing with him as a child. My dad used to work in small factory. He would leave home before my brothers and I woke up and return much after we went to bed.
We got to see him just once in every month when he would come a little earlier than usual. That was his payday -- seventh of every month when he would also buy us a Five Star chocolate each!
For 14 years my mom and dad sacrificed their happiness just so we could study. My older brother started working but my father continued to work till the day I got married.
Whenever I go to meet him I ensure to spend enough time with him, play chess and computer games. I make him the food he likes and I teach him computer so he can communicate with us when we are away
My brothers and I are working and earning well. When he was supposed to enjoy life he spent his time working to ensure we got a better life.
- Asha Singh (Mumbai)
I don't know from where I can begin with but most importantly I don't know where and how shall I be ending my precious memories which I shared with may Dad (Papa as I used to lovingly address him).
I lost my father when I was 12 and even now when I think about that day my eyes become moist. I was a daddy's girl; he was the one with whom I used to have play-fights, laugh, joke, study and hold his hands whenever I was going out.
Being the only child I was always pampered, encouraged to take up challenges. He always supported me. I used to copy all his habits be it the way he brushed or the way he walked. We used to have play-fights whenever he would come back from work. He always gave me the best of everything without me asking for it.
As a child I remember always roaming around in my daddy's arms being carried by him either on his shoulders or in his arms.
I have lots of memories many which I want to pen down but as I am writing my heart is crying and I have to control my tears. Years have passed by but the memories are fresh.
I Love My Daddy and my mother and I miss him. This article I dedicate to my loving Papa.
Happy Father's Day I miss you a lot Papa.
- Debarpita Majumdar
Hi Dad, your not being around makes me sad. Now there are many things to share and feel bad about the times when I didn't care. Many years have gone by, but I still can remember you saying bye. You always wanted me to fly. And thanks to you I am touching the sky. I now have son whom I have told that you are a star. How I wish I can know which one you are,
Miss you Dad...
- AP Sriram
This Father's Day it will be 17 years since our father passed away. In good times, he was the world's best father. But there were hard times too because of which we never quite got to tell him or show how much we loved him and appreciated him in his lifetime. But he lives on in our hearts and in our home and this is a tribute of love to him this Father's Day:
You've gone ahead of us, it's hard to say goodbye; and in our grief and sorrow, we are tempted to ask "why?"
Your pain you bore so silently, not wanting us to know;
Many a night you spent restlessly, your fears you never did show.
But you have found that peace and rest this world never really gives, it's you God chose He knew best,
May He grant you eternal rest
With all our love and gratitude for what you did for us and how much you meant to us; today we are able to stand on our own with heads held high,
- Daughters: Audrey and Valerie and most cherished granddaughter Avril
'He stood by me like a rock'
It's easy to celebrate a day as Fathers Day. But it hasn't been like that for me. I have been celebrating my dad everyday in my life.
My dad is a simple, patient and a man of great virtues. I am trying to imitate him in my kind of lifestyle but still can't attain the standards.
I admire him for a lot of things the way he sees life, the way he approaches people and the way he has properly guided us.
We didn't communicate much during my college days but still I could understand what he wanted me to be.
Am happy to have you as my Dad.
I was aspiring for a guy with a similar kind to be my future husband. And finally my dad chose the one for me. Now my husband proud to be a dad is spending more valuable time with my daughter, Raaha (in picture).
Raaha is closer to her dad and expects more from him everyday.
Happy Fathers Day to All
- Nandhini Muthuswamy
My father was a great human being and a wonderful father who showered us with all his love. I only wish that the day he passed away had never come
He has gone through lots of struggles as a young boy. Earning for his studies and still managed to be a top ranker. He taught us the definition of honesty, a hard working person and our best friend.
I still remember the way we used to pester our dad a lot. The moment he would return home we would start our regular routine of talking about what had happened during the day -- be it having stupid fights with friends or doing something naughty in class. The best part is that he would get involved in the conversation. He never showed his work pressures at home and always has a smile on his face.
He would be the first person to encourage us even if we hesitated about anything. He encouraged us so much that it works wonders. He was always proud of us for what we did.
We are what we are because of my father. The things which we learnt form him have kept us going.
We learnt among other things not to be afraid of anything, to be brave, not to expect anything form anyone. He isn't alive now. But his memories are still fresh in our minds and we feel he is still around us.
Ever since he passed away, it has been a roller coaster ride for us. But still we were able to stand up strong and he was the reason behind it. We can still sense him through the people who help. Dad will always be with us. We love him loads and will miss him forever.
He is our role model and we are the luckiest. Love you Daddy!
- Sunitha and on behalf of my sister Sasikala Bangalore
I admire and love my father very much. He was working in administration department in RPF, Central Railway. When he was few months old he lost his mother and he and his elder sister was born and brought up by his aunt. My grand father was very honest and hard working person working in the government department. He lost his younger brother and because of which he had to take care of his brother's family members also.
My father was brilient and in 1952 he stood second in the SSC exams in a small town called Mahad. Due to limited income and responsibility my grandfather was not able to give him higher education although he knew my father's potential. My father kept these things in mind and when I completed my Diploma in Textiles from VJTI he told me that I must complete graduation if I get chance.
Fortunately I got admission to B.Text from there and although his income was limited, he insisted to check the possibility of getting Masters degree also. Actually I was not so keen at that time as I already spent seven years -- four years for Diploma and three years for degree after my twelfth grade and was interested in getting a job.
But as per his advice I appeared for GATE exam at that time and got admission to M.Text and subsequently completed same also from VJTI.
Today whatever I am, is only because of my father who continuously encouraged me to take higher education despite his limited income. He also taught us discipline, how to live simply and keep good relations with all.
He is 76 years old retired in 1992 from Central railway but still guides me whenever there are some problems and encourages and helps me. I always pray to god that if I am reborn I get the same parents in all my future lives.
- Rajendra Parashuram Joshi, Kalyan
Dad and Mum are the first words we learnt as babies. We share a very strange relation with them. When we are kids we always keep running behind them for everything once we learnt everything we hardly get any time for them.
As a child I would rely on my father's advice and continued to do so even when I reached university. I trusted him to take the right decision for me.
There are some things I can never forget -- like the day he would get us chocolates for us on his payday.
I still feel ecstatic that my dad had given his consent for my most important decision of my life -- my marriage. I lost my dad couple of months before I got married.
Dad was the strong pillar in the family on whom we could all rely on. He would always have a smile on his face and would cheer us when we were down. Father would always take time to be with us despite his busy schedule. I cherish every moment I spent with him and now I can say the same about my son who is spending time with my husband his dad!
- Pooja Kawatra
My dad was a very busy man and being from the middle class he worked hard so we didn't have to suffer like him.
He gave us everything we asked for and spent whatever time he could. On Sundays we would visit the park go out for dinner and then later in then night he would tell us bedtime stories that would start with a standard line -- Once upon a time there lived a king but end differently every single time! He made up for all the time he could not be with us just in a single day of the week!
On September 26, 1998 when I was 14 I lost my mother. No one in my family knew how to cope with the loss. Everyone went into a depression and I got into bad company.
Just when the rest of the family had given up hope on me, my father came to my rescue and put me in a rehabilitation centre. He stayed with me for two months even though he was not comfortable with the idea of leaving my sisters at my maternal grandmother's house. He stood by me like a rock.
It's been 12 years since my mother expired and I still remember her and I know she will be happy seeing us from wherever she is
My father is suffering from paralysis. But he has made me capable of taking care of him, the entire family and me. I owe this life to him.
- Nithin (Mangalore)
Everyone has a special relationship with his or her parents. All the stories here speak of amazing dads who've been the bedrock of their kids' lives. I have a similar feeling to share.
While I'm an out-and-out Mommy's girl, I can say for sure that my relationship with my father goes deeper than my relationship with my mother sometimes. For one, we're made from the same fabric and when I find myself reacting the way he does I realise the reason why people have children -- so that they can leave a part of themselves around even after they're gone. My father has always been my guardian... he became my guardian angel in 2004.
To tell you a bit about him, he always encouraged a scientific outlook towards life, inculcated the habit of reading amongst my two siblings and me. He was a strict disciplinarian, a loving husband to my mom and a caring son to his parents. He was a workaholic, but ensured several weeks of holidays with us every couple of years. The holidays spent with him were the best times of our lives.
My relationship with him is sweet and sour. We are the best of friends and the worst of enemies. We have had several arguments, which ended only when one of us would get up and leave. Despite it all, I distinctly remember that if I felt afraid at night, I could always count on him to make me feel better (even in my late teens!).
As a kid, he would tuck me in his arms, and trust me. Nothing felt safer than that. I also remember waking up in the middle of night once while at my relative's place, and despite my mom being there, I woke him up. He quickly warmed some milk for me to drink.
Whenever mom would take us kids to our grandma's place each year, I would leave a note for him asking him to take care of himself and to come pick us up from railway station when we would be back.
I would feel sad about leaving him alone. However, on our train journey back from grandma's place, I would perch near the window of the compartment and look for him eagerly amongst the crowds. Upon spotting him, I would feel a big rush of joy and I would tell mom excitedly that dad was there to pick us up. It would light up my mom's face, and then a joyous reunion would follow.
Not having dad around is a life-long sorrow for us, but the fact that he's watching over us is very reassuring. Considering the kind of person he was, it is difficult to imagine him NOT looking out for us. I miss you, Baba. Happy Father's Day!!!
- Diptee Deshpande
Dearest Daddy,
First and foremost I would like to thank God for choosing me to be part of your family and to be born as your daughter. You and Mummy are the best things that have ever happened in my life. I wish Mummy were here so I could also tell her how I feel. But I know she is watching over you, Akka and me and all our loved ones.
Daddy I know it has been a very tough and you are still trying to cope with Mummy's loss but I want to assure you that Akka and me love you a lot and you are always are hero and our guidance and you are our icon. We want you to be happy again and to continue guiding us throughout our lives and many more lives to come. I pray to God that if there is another birth then I beg him to please let me be born to you and Mummy and also have Akka as my bestest sister. Happy Father's day Daddy! Love you Old Man and take care
- Kiran Garaga
Share your story with us. Simply write in to getahead@rediff.co.in (subject line: 'My dad my hero') and we'll publish the best entries right here on rediff.com
If you can, do send in a photograph of you and your dad too, to publish alongside your story!
What better way of showing your dad how much you love him this Father's Day?
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