My dad, my hero!

This is something I have wanted to write for a really long time. I keep holding on to my thoughts every day hoping to find that peace and solitude which will help me pen down everything I feel like. This time though what triggered my passion was a radio show on the eve of Father's Day. While commuting back from work, I was listening to a lovely radio show which was asking viewers to call in and mention one or two very distinct events that made their dads heroes in their eyes.

Come to think of it, as a daughter your dad is the first man you truly love. The first person you look up to, the first person you hold in awe, the first person you run to if you're afraid or in trouble, the first person who pampers you, the first person who scolds you, the first person you truly want to impress, the first person you want to know how well you're doing at school. And along with your mom, the only other person who may love you with such selflessness and unconditional adoration, you would think thanking God for them every single day of your life may not be enough.

I can go on and write long sagas about how much I love my dad. But without losing focus, today I just want to write about how he has always been my hero and how specific incidents shaped me in being the person I am.

My dad, my very own Anna Hazare

Yes, you read that right! My dad has always made my heart fill with pride with his honesty and courage to fight against corruption.

He worked in a technical college and was designated to help in the admission process. There were people who tried to bribe him so many times, some talked of buying him plots, some just put loads and loads of money on his table, others guaranteed a stable future for his two children. But, he would not budge! He always resisted all temptations and in spite of being the only earning member of our family with a meagre income, he never thought of ulterior means to make a fast buck.

In fact, when corruption in the admission process became a terrible reality what with some administrators soon becoming millionaires, he became a secret whistle-blower. It was not that he feared his life, but he didn't want to part with his job either. He wrote to the upper management and helped clean up a lot of mess ensuring that only deserving candidates should be given admission.

Having studied in the same college later, I have seen many a lecturers, even HODs and principals lowering their eyes in front of my dad though they were in much senior positions. This is what I learnt from my dad - you may not be the richest or most powerful person but your honesty and sincerity will always bring only respect and awe from everyone, even your enemies who want you to quit.

My dad, my very own social crusader

When we wanted to make some renovations to our mezzanine floor my dad being a law abiding citizen went through the proper channels, filling forms, getting NOCs etc. However, some BMC official was hell bent on getting a bribe and tried to create problems for him at every stage. My dad did what he knew best! Wrote a lot of letters, fought endlessly against the whole red tapism. We got the necessary permissions, albeit a year after we started the process but without having to give any bribes and that made me realize that the path of truth is extremely difficult and long yet, perseverance and hard work always yield good results.

My dad, my very own generous Karna

Many years ago, on Diwali eve my dad got his much awaited bonus. Being a typical lower middle class family, we (my brother and I) rejoiced and finally started to buy our share of fire crackers and new clothes to celebrate the festival. While shopping in the market, my dad was pushed from behind by some person. He passed by so swiftly it took us a while to realize he was a pickpocket and ran away with all my father's monthly earnings. That was one of the few times I saw my dad looking so helpless and dejected. We tried to put on a brave, understanding face letting him know we had already bought enough. While coming back home he saw a beggar asking for alms. Immediately, without thinking twice, his hands reached his shirt pocket and he got out some coins for the desolate man. He just turned to us and looked at us with a smile. We learnt a very important lesson that day - No matter how much you have or are left it, there is always something that you can spare for someone who needs it!

My dad, my very own faith healer

Each family has its own set of rifts, complications, ego issues and ours was no different. We are a very huge extended family and of course there have been many instances of differences. And also like all good families, I've seen these differences resolved the moment any family member is in difficulty. My dad can get extremely ruthless when he's angry, he'll look straight through a person he doesn't exist. But he will still pray for all the people he knows. Every morning and evening, without fail, he will take everyone's names family, extended family, neighbors, cousins, friends he hasn't even spoken to for years and he will pray for them with full faith that God will listen, always! Even if he is angry, he never stops loving and he never stops caring!

My dad, my Jyotiba Phule

Dad wanted me to start working immediately after my Diploma. That was only because he wasn't sure he could finance my education any further. My HoD though once told him that it would be very unwise for a good student like me to not complete graduation. My dad took great note of this and went to great lengths to finance my studies. He took as many loans as he could, pleaded his best of friends and anyone who could help and ensured I get my engineering degree. He even told everyone who tried to stop him that I was more interested in studying than my brother so I deserved the degree as much as him. He never discriminated between my brother and me.

My dad, my greatest publicist

Oh he never stops praising me, he never stops telling people what a good daughter I am! He keeps talking about me and my brother nonstop till other people are totally amused, shocked and tired. And in spite of not being on my best behavior always and constant arguments with him, still loves me like I am his most prized possession. 

From touching the feet of our family doctor to 'save' me from a fever when I was a 1 year old, to being the strict father who had set curfews for reasons I best understand now, to dancing with joy whenever I scored well in exams, to doting over my son and remembering how he is exactly like me, his love just makes me fly. All the troubles burdening me are feather light when this angel assures me everything's going to work out fine.

Over the years, there have been times I just don't understand his hot-headed ways or his blunt to the point of being rude manners. Or his obsession of television and Marathi serials for that matter. And I am sure, like everyone of us he has his own shortcomings. Yet, he is the purest, noblest soul I have met who has zero malice or corruption in him. Led his life, embracing all his hardships, pain and glory and gave me many life lessons in humility.