A Father's Day Story of a Mumbai Family

As the third Sunday of June approached, the Bhandari family was ecstatic in the vibrant metropolis of Mumbai. The smell of the monsoon showers, the sight of vendors setting up their kiosks, and the noises of children playing in the pools were all signs that Father's Day was quickly approaching.

The Bhandari family was close-knit, affectionate, and humorous. Ramesh, the progenitor, was a patient parent who always made time for his three children, Arjun, Radhika, and Avni, despite his hectic schedule as a banker. As a father figure, he placed a greater emphasis on love, values, and the enchantment of stories than on material displays of devotion.

This year, Arjun, Radhika, and Avni were faced with the difficult decision of what to give to their cherished father. Their father was not a man who desired material possessions, but rather one who valued memories and experiences above all else.

Arjun, the firstborn, was a software architect. He recalled his father's teachings on the significance of responsibility and family values. These teachings had a profound impact on Arjun's life, and he knew that his gift had to reflect his appreciation. He decided to create a digital collage of the family's most cherished moments, with each photo accompanied by a personal anecdote, as a commemoration of the most significant memories.

The middle child, Radhika, was a blossoming poet. She recalled the numerous evenings her father spent reciting the verses of great poets, instilling in her a passion for words and cadence. She determined that her gift would be a collection of her own poetry, with each lyric representing a memory or lesson her father had taught her. This would be her way of saying, "I've been listening, and I remember."

Avni, the youngest, was a vivacious seven-year-old. She recalled her father's bedtime tales of bravery and wit, as well as his reassuring presence whenever she awoke from a nightmare. She decided to give him a self-made storybook, replete with her stick-figure illustrations and her own original stories based on her father's tales, in a naïve and endearing manner.

When Father's Day arrived, the Bhandari family congregated around the dining table with gleeful expressions. As each child presented his or her gift, Ramesh was rendered speechless. He chuckled at the memories brought back by Arjun's collage, shed tears at the beauty of Radhika's poetry, and was mesmerised by Avni's endearing tales.

The Bhandari children had indeed discovered the ideal presents. They were considerate expressions of their love and appreciation for their father, not because they were expensive or ostentatious. These presents captured memories, lessons, and the essence of their father-child relationship.

As Ramesh tightly embraced his children, the Bhandari home resounded with merriment and joy. Father's Day was not just about giving gifts; it was also about expressing love, expressing gratitude, and generating beautiful memories, and the Bhandaris had succeeded magnificently in these regards.

Thus, Father's Day was more than a day in the Bhandari household. It was a manifestation of their ties and a celebration of their progenitor, who was a devoted father, mentor, and friend. The Bhandari children taught us all that the essence of Father's Day is not the magnitude of gifts, but the profundity of emotion and the beauty of consideration.

You can also handpick some of the most thoughtful gifts on father's Day from this delightful list below:

• Kurtas and footwear from Anita Dongre
• Summary shirts and kurtas from Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna
• Kurtas from Antar-Agni
• Kurtas and Bandis with hand-painted kalamkari work from Archana Jaju
• Some shirts, t-shirts, and co-ords from Shahin Mannan
• Cool hand-painted co-ords, shirts, and jackets from KH House of Khaddar
• Footwear from Aprajita Toor and Melissa
• Hats from Myaraa by Namrata Lodha