Papa Proud

 The multi-channel television invaded the Indian living rooms, and much changed, often for the worse. In its wake, globalisation, too, shaped India inevitably, and in quite a goofy way. 

Such pan-global intrusions do have, like the proverbial cloud, a silver lining, and does it shine bright! Yes, i am referring to the Father's Day. Like the Mother's Day, it entered India in the 1990's. Despite the market madness ( what with the goodies that flood the market every second Sunday in May, and every third Sunday in June) that dogs its feet, i feel this is a most welcome practice.

Fathers are the most misunderstood and ignored entities in the family. Undoubtedly, from the generation who is now in their twenties onward, this injustice has abated quite a bit as the children of this age group casually treat their fathers as a friend, at least superficially. 

Earlier, however, hardly was it so. Fathers used to be the most hardworking, most concerned, most loving member in the family. Hardly, however, were they so understood. Most often the bogeyman with whose anger and beatings, mothers would threaten the misbehaving children, fathers were kept at a safe distance, right?

Luckily, in my family, Papa never ever beat, belted, slapped, or kicked us. Why, he hardly ever screamed at us! Sure, we were well-behaved children, and, yes, there was a lot of discipline, but it was kindly and lovingly administered. 

Given his honesty and sincerity, he was often the thorn in the flesh of the corrupt, and hence often he had to face transfers. For the sake of our higher education, however, he had to live all alone at those places of transfer. But it never ever occurred to him to put us in hostels or at relatives' place so that they both could enjoy togetherness as a couple. We were given all the best facilities available then. Given the frugal salaries then, he would himself live most simply, but never ever did he deny us any resources whatsoever.

In his early youth, he had to shoulder all the responsibilities of his paternal family. He had to hence sacrifice his dreams. Yet even when he was ill-treated by them, he never ever uttered a single bad word against them. I marvel at this generosity of his spirit.  

Indeed he had very many sterling qualities, and not only do i adore him as a daughter, but i also look up to him as a human being. I am indeed very much Papa Proud, and have always done everything to live up to his vision, and will continue to do so forever!

Pratima@ Father is indeed a Saviour!