The relationship of a father and a child is one that is treasured in every family. Friend, guide, instructor – children view their fathers in unique roles. Equally unique is their perception of Father’s day. Being observed this Sunday, Varsha Gandikota finds out from a few youngsters what the day means to them and their dads.
Prarthana Sham, an 18 year-old, says that she does not understand the need to express love on a specific day once a year. “My sister and I are simply indifferent to it. We do a lot of things with dad throughout the year and this is just like any other day. I don’t need a reason or a day to tell him that I love him, except maybe when I want him to buy me something” she laughs.
About dad: We are similar in a lot of ways. I inherited his ‘chilled-out’ attitude and we connect over a mutual love for food.
Pocket money for papa’s gift
Kunal Kotak, who just passed out of Chinmaya Vidyalaya uses Father’s Day to buy a gift for his dad who doesn’t accept presents unless there is a special occasion. “He doesn’t like spending money without a reason. So, I take advantage of the holiday to treat him to something nice. What I buy depends on how much I save. This year, I have booked a massage session for him at Country Club. He works hard throughout the year and never takes a break, this is well-needed,” he says.
About dad: He’s my superhero. He always says that he’s trying to make me live a life that he could only dream of having. So, he’s my guide and instructor for everything I do.
An all-out family affair
For Sanjana and Namrata Eyunni, students at St.Francis College, the holiday is celebrated with family-friends where three families come together. “We’re planning a small party at home where we’re going to decorate the floor with pictures of us and arrange karaoke since all the dads love singing,” says Sanjana. “The mothers and kids are going to cook some Lebanese for them. The kids will also bake a cake along with making a small movie to show the dads,” adds a very excited Namrata. The two also plan to get customized certificates with personal titles printed for the fathers.
About dad: He’s more of a kid than we are! He is extremely open-minded and we can talk to him about absolutely
anything. He has always let us make our own choices and been extremely supportive.
Fancy night-out
Rahul Gupta, a 19 year-old who runs a chain of mobile stores called Awent Technologies with his father, believes in
celebrating the holiday with grandeur. “I’m scouring the city for the best location to take my parents out for dinner on
Father’s Day. My father loves pens, so I plan to gift him a Mont Blanc pen along with a pair of clothes,” says Rahul, for whom, the holiday is a must-follow tradition.
About dad: I spend most of my time with my dad and I have learned everything that I know about business from him. My dad and I have a great relationship, at home and at work.
Being together is everything
For Prateek Shankar, an architecture student, Father’s Day is special as long as he can spend it with his, who works for the Armed Forces. “As my father is in the army, I rarely get to spend time with him. This year, we’re together and that’s what means a lot,” he says. “In a way, every day that I get to spend with him is like Father’s Day and that is why this one day in particular does not mean much. We’re going to have a nice family-day at home,” adds Prateek.
About dad: Even though he was away a lot, my father used to overlook my progress all the time. I am very proud of him and want to live up to his expectations.
Just another day
Sameer Dharur, a student from BITS, Hyderabad says, “Call me old-fashioned but I don’t even know when it is. My brother and I find out only because of full page newspaper ads. This is true of Mother’s Day and all other days as well.” Is it a conscious
decision to reject it? Sameer believes that you don’t need a gift-shop sponsored day to express your affection to your dear ones.
About dad: We share an interest for almost the very same things in the world, talking extensively about everything on a daily basis. To a large extent, he’s responsible for a lot of things I now know and understand.