Fatherhood, the word itself brings to mind masculine adjectives like strong, strict and stoic. And while
fathers may have to be armed with these qualities, there are many other sides
to a good father. When a child is born, the father too experiencesa life-altering
transition.“When I got to know that I’m going to be a father, the feeling was a
mixture of ecstasy and anxiety. You hope and pray that all goes well,” says
Ravi Carvalho from Verna, father of ten-month-old Antonio. “The journey thus
far has been great. The initial days can be quite unnerving with all the
sleepless nights, nappies to be changed and just the overwhelming sense of a
new responsibility on your hands. Though I have had eight nephews and nieces
before, nothing prepares you for fatherhood. But all this is offset by the
sheer joy of having your own little creation in your arms; the bliss of the
child sleeping on your chest; the gurgles and the toothless smiles and the
bubbly laughter. It is indeed amazing to watch our little child grow, and the
achievement of every milestone by Antonio is a source of great pride, joy and
excitement in the family,” he adds.
Keith D’Souza shares his first time experience of being a
father: “We are blessed with a little baby girl that we always wanted. Our whole
lives have changed. Everything revolves around her and her well being. I do
worry about her education, holidays and world experiences and hope to make it
all possible for this little one,” says Keith, about his
four-and-a-half-month-old daughter Izabella.
One-month-and-15-days-old Zaraiah Kiah Carvalho is the apple of
her father’s eye. Baga-based Stanley Carvalho was overwhelmed to hold his
daughter in his arms for the first time. “It’s an amazing feeling and no words
can describe it. I feel blessed and I feel I shoulder additional responsibility
towards the family, which I am ready for. I always prayed for a girl and now my
wish is fulfilled. I have to sacrifice my sleep but I have no complains about
it. Her presence has completed us in more than one way, I love everything about
her,” says Stanley.
Rinton D’Souza from Campal had tears when he first laid eyes of
his princess, Sophia Megan. “I was super happy and the happiest I have ever
been in my life. I was looking forward to being a dad and we planned it out
when we were ready. My only fear is seeing her grow too fast,” says Rinton
about his five-month-old baby girl. He adds, “A lot has changed now and I love
spending time with my daughter and wife. Every time I see her, she just
brightens my day.”
Siddesh Kesarkar from Moira is the father of seven-month-old
Shaiv and he cannot wait to get home to spend time with his little bundle of
joy. “Seeing Shaiv for the very first time was a divine feeling as we were
giving birth to a new life, which is something so amazing. There was
nervousness in the air as we were expecting a girl and the doctor announced
that it was a boy. Now, I only hope to get home from work as early as possible
so I get to spend more time with my son. We are constantly clicking photographs
of his first moments, crawling, sitting, etc,” says Siddesh.
Sanket
Arjunwade from Porvorim is the father to two-and-a-half-months old daughter,
Alana Rae. “My first reaction was just smiling a lot, seeing her, even though
she was crying at that moment. I was filled with joy because I really wanted a
girl. I was prepared for what was going to come our way and was waiting to
start a new chapter in our lives. My work involves a lot of travelling so I
hope I do not miss those important moments of her life like taking her first
step and learning how to talk, etc,” he says.
