Column

Father. The word beckons the image of a protector and care-taker, a personality around whom everything seems perfect; of one who shoulders responsibilities; of a person who propped you, as a little baby, on his shoulders; and of a rudder who have guided you when you needed help.

But, life’s misfortune deprives many of having such a wonderful figure in their lives.
The unfortunate part of life — wars, accidents, sickness, hatred, broken marriages and greed — have left, and will unfortunately continue leaving, children growing up without fathers, as we know them. But the reality is that there is always a father-figure lurking around somewhere, one who cares for you as much your own father would. It could be a grandfather, an uncle, a stepfather, a father-in-law, a benevolent elderly teacher, or even a wise and learned neighbour.

Even when a marriage has broken, many men continue to play responsibly the role of a father, without letting the bitter memories of marriage mar the experience of fatherhood.
It is to all of them that you should raise a toast on the Father’s Day to be celebrated today. This is also the 100th anniversary of this wonderful day. It is a myth is that Father’s Day only celebrates the biological father. It is important to remember that is not just the inherited genes which determine a father. It is about sacrifices; about sheer love that towers over you, caringly.

This is all that’s needed to make a father figure. It could be your biological father, or anyone else. But, the qualities are significant. Look at how the Father’s Day came to be, starting in 1910 on the third Sunday in June every year.It was Sonora Dodd’s way of remembering her father, an American civil war veteran, William Smart, who raised six children single-handedly on a rural farm in eastern Washington after his wife died while giving birth to their sixth child.

Sonora witnessed how her father took care and brought up his newborn and his older five children with equal, unconditional love, making several sacrifices through his life as a widower. He did not remarry, lest that affected his children. It was only when Sonora herself became an adult, and had a family of her own, did she realise how difficult it had been for her father to raise six children single-handedly.

It was she who proposed the idea in 1909 of celebrating a ‘Father’s Day’ every year in dedication to her father. The first Father’s Day was observed on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington. In 1924, US president Calvin Coolidge, supported the idea of a national Father’s Day.

Finally, it was in 1966, that president Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day, a day to honour, not just your father, but all men who have been a father figure in your life.To those who have ‘lost their fathers’, remember there is a father, always.Here’s raising a toast to you, Father.

The writer is the chief of bureau, DNA Bangalore