Fathers are the literal backbone of a family. They are the inseparable wheel that runs all of us and binds us as a whole. With time, the structures of families have changed, and so has the meaning of fatherhood. Today’s dads are not gender-biased and do not mind raising their child along with the mother. They do not reject a child from their wife’s first marriage, neither does a mother who lost her husband make her son feel the absence of a father.
But their role remains underrated as most of the dads tend to express, and expect less. They are silent observers who work day and night to fend the kin.
It is time to appreciate them. Thankfully the world now celebrates a whole day for fathers on the third Sunday of June. Today is the blessed day, and so LifeBeyondNumbers set out to search for some amazing dads who have played an exceptional role in bringing up their kids. Let us meet them.
The Working Parents
Nishant Singh, a sports journalist from DD News, New Delhi, is a father to two young boys. His wife Rajni Singh is a journalist on the same channel. The duo split their responsibilities of raising the kids by adjusting their shifts, taking turns. Even when Rajni is out on coverage or with friends, Nishant takes full responsibility for the lads.
“Once there was an activity in our elder son Adamya’s school where they had to wear rainbow-themed costumes. As I was on my shift, Nishant hand-painted a white shirt in VIBGYOR colors. He does everything that it takes to run the house when I’m unavailable. He even talks sports and takes our sons to the stadium to watch matches,” shares Rajni.
Likewise, Bhuvan Venu from India TV is raising his 6-year-old daughter along with his wife, who works in Loksabha TV. The father spends quality time with his daughter when the mum is away. He helps her connect to nature, learn new stuff, and also indulge in art. Also, he does everything around the house without any hesitation.
“I just want the kid to watch me in the kitchen and feel that this is very normal, and this is how it should be,” says Bhuvan.
Ashok Kumar Mohanty is a Principal of a school in Odisha. He and his wife are both in the education field and have raised their daughter Pratyusha with utmost discipline. She is now following the footsteps of her father, and mother, becoming a teacher herself.
“A father usually wishes his kid to become a better person than him. He dreams his child will be a super child – best in studies, singing, dancing, speech, everything. But then the wanting merges and immerses into the child’s well-being. He becomes satisfied when he finds his kids are doing better and can live a happy life and can face all difficulties in life. That’s fatherhood for me,” shares Ashok Kumar Mohanty
The Non-Biological Father
Abhishek Chakraborty is a journalist at The Quint. He has had a rough childhood which was magically saved by his stepfather. Let’s hear him out.
“My dad abandoned me when I was in Class 11. After a few years, my mom remarried. I live with my stepfather, Bandan Kumar Kar now, and he has been more than a father to me. He has taken care of me when I have been sick and has moved mountains when I wanted something. Men who aren’t biological fathers can be super dads too,” says Chakraborty.
Mr. Shyama Hari Chakra is a renowned journalist who covers arts and culture. He has never married but been a father figure to his niece for three decades. His selfless love is something we should all cherish.
Also, read: This Doting Single Father Deserves A Mother’s Day Hug For It Takes A Strong Man To Be A Mom
“I have been a father despite being a single person. My sister’s daughter, whose parents got separated even before she was born in my family, has been my daughter for 30 years. Many of my friends say that I have been a better father than them. I could never feel the difference between a biological daughter and her. To me, heart connection matters more than blood relation,” shares Shyamahari.
The Pawsome Dad
So, one is to be considered a dad only by giving birth to human children. Why can’t there be dads who adopt animals?
An IT Professional from Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, Sachin Srivastav is a father to one little girl and four dogs. He has been raising them with utmost love and affection like a family. Though it was his wife’s idea to get the fur buddies, he does everything it takes to care for them. He takes them to walks, washes, and feeds them just like a father while his wife is busy handling their playschool. Today, the couple is also taking out some time to attend to other street dogs in their town.
Losing a father, and having a supermom
Gourav Duttagupta is an English Language Teacher at St. Xavier’s. His mother is a working professional as well who serves at the LIC. He lost his father at a tender age and since then his mother has raised him single-handedly playing both dad and mom.
“This is the 16th year of my life without the physical presence of my baba, but his strength and support have perpetually been with me in the form of my maa. If I have to dedicate this day, at all, I would surely offer this day to her,” says Gourav.
We just have to say one thing,” Love you, Dads. Happy Father’s Day!”