16 Jun 2019  |   03:36am IST

It’s daddy’s day today!

A father plays a major role in the life of his child, yet it is not something that is overtly acknowledged. Remedying this is the observance of Father’s Day that honours their love and actions towards their families, especially their children. Some well known Goan dads share with us their thoughts on Father’s Day

Nicole Remedios

You parents are the first people you bond with. Mothers share

a special connection with their babies from before they are born but fathers have to go that extra inch to build that beautiful bond with their children. Either way, it’s a special relationship, full of love and trust. You father is someone who sees to your every necessity; he toils to keep the family happy; he pampers you; he saves you from your mother’s ire; corrects you when you are wrong; he’s your first (or second) friend.

Shrinivas V Dempo, the Chairman of Dempo Group of Industries, has two daughters and loves them equally. Despite his busy work schedule, he makes the time to spend special moments with his children. He says that Father’s Day is a celebration every day: “Being a father makes me feel proud, and though I am busy, I make sure I provide my daughters with the best quality time together.”

Leaving his other work aside, Shrinivas has always been involved in the extra-curricular activities of his children, including attending parent-teacher meetings and encouraging them to participate in different activities.

“They are my daughters, but also my friends. I believe as father when you decide to give them a free environment to mingle along with you, they are spontaneously honest with you. They share with me every problem they face,” he says.

Shrinivas’s children see him as a role model for themselves in many ways, from being a friendly dad to having great business and organisational skills.

For a father to watch his child grow, blossom and achieve something in life is a matter of pride. Manoj Caculo is impressed at the upbringing of his two sons. Going back in time, he exclaims, “Oh I felt on top of the world the first time I became a father!” As for his most special moment? “There are no special memories to recall with them because till today every time I am with them it’s special. And now that there are all grown up, I feel relaxed that I have nurtured them rightly,” he says.

Manoj’s sons have studied outside Goa and hence he made sure that they wouldn’t give anyone any reason to complain. “I told them not to give others a chance to come and tell me anything. Even today I tell them, ‘If you want to drink a beer, drink, but do it in front of me’,” shares Manoj.

While these dads have almost finished bringing up their kids, there are those still busy changing diapers, feeding them, talking them for walks, teaching them to cycle and putting them to bed. Taking care of a two-year-old baby girl is tough, but DJ Ashton Gonsalves is rocking it. “Being a young father, so far the journey has been marvellous,” reveals Ashton.

“Whenever I am free, I grab the opportunity to take my baby girl Skyla in the car for outings,” says Ashton. He also mentions that as a father, he enjoys moments with her while tipping on various matters regarding her going to playschool this monsoon.

Similarly, musician Orlando Noronha, a father of three daughters and one son, has been enjoying each moment he spends with them. “The more kids you have the younger you feel, at least that’s what I feel!” states Orlando.

“The relationship that I have with my kids is definitely not the same I had with my father. Times are changing and based on the modern world you have to adapt and nurture kids in that way. Like a friend,” he adds.

Actor Salil Naik claims that his life became more significant after having his two children – a daughter, aged seven, and a little boy, aged three. “The real feeling of becoming a father can never be expressed in words,” he says.

He believes that the most important thing a father can do for his child is to be a mentor, their best friend and the biggest supporter. “My day starts by waking my daughter up, brushing her teeth, bathing her and dropping her to school and later it’s the same routine with my son too. I just love doing all this,” he says joyfully.

“We play together, go out together, holiday together, and watch movies together. The only thing I don’t venture into is to take up their lessons. It’s been successfully taken care of by my wife,” he adds with a laugh. Salil confidently says that ever since he became a father, his priorities in life have changed. And that is how every dad feels once they see their little one cuddling in their arms.