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| Edited By: Priyanka Chaturvedi |Source: DNA |Updated: Jun 18, 2016, 07:25 AM IST
No, the plan was not to write a mushy column about my dad, nor was it to be about how he has been a very big influence in my life. What triggered this was a Facebook update of a friend on the occasion of Father’s Day coming up this Sunday.
In my family, I have always slacked on wishing my dad on this day or being cynical about the day — as in why just one day to celebrate my father? But then, I realised how I have been guilty of not even saying how much he means to me the rest of the year either.
So this is about him, about how he shaped me to be who I am without intending to do so. All he wanted during our growing up years is that we lived our lives the way we wanted but with a sense of responsibility to the community and our society.
My father writes well — exceedingly well — in Hindi. Who would know that better than me who used to be his PA when it came to writing his thoughts down while he dictated. I used to get seriously angry at him for making me write/edit/rewrite while he tried to structure his thoughts into a column or article.
My father is not a professional writer but rather a passionate writer with strong opinions. I always wondered what pushed him to keep writing despite it not contributing much to his income. I was to realise the joy of writing and the sense of fulfillment seeing my work printed much later when I also started using the pen to express myself on various issues I felt strongly about.
Yes, Papa, now I realise what doing what comes from the heart means, because you taught me to.
My dad’s interest in the country’s politics is also sky-high. He can talk to anyone and everyone for hours on this subject and yet not feel tired. As children, we used to get annoyed with his political talk and for him keeping us away from watching our choice of channel on TV to watch DD News.
After every news bulletin, he used to give us a short synopsis of what was happening in the country, and as much as we didn’t want to we would have to sit through it because we didn’t want to dampen his enthusiasm on a subject close to his heart.
Little did I know that destiny had plans for me, to be in the thick of politics of the country! While he chose never to be associated to any party, I made that choice. I may win political arguments on TV, but never against him. Yes Papa, because you taught me.
He reads this column dedicatedly every week, shares it on his Facebook profile with all his friends as soon as I share the link. He shares all my debate links, my blog posts and my event appearances as soon as they’re uploaded on social media sites.
Whenever I accompany him at a public event, he can’t stop talking about me. He ignores all my poking to get him to keep quiet and not embarrass me with all the talk. But no, it doesn’t stop him! That’s my dad for you! So, Papa, I may not say it often enough, but let me say this, I am what I am because you taught me. Happy Father’s Day, Papa!
