“Baba, take me with you.”
To the school, the fair, the riverside, or some lonely twilight afternoon—our childhood was full of that one simple plea. Back then, we didn’t know how much that man gave of himself every single day, how much he cared, how little he asked for in return.
Today is Father’s Day. But can the story of fathers be confined to a single day? Their silent sacrifices, wordless companionship, and guardian-like presence span far beyond the limits of any calendar.
The symbol of wordless love:
A mother nurtures with tenderness; a father pushes us forward with strength. She wipes our tears, and he teaches us to walk through them. Fathers may not always say, “I love you,” but it echoes in everything they do.
He crosses scorching sun and pouring rain just to build a future for us. Returning home breathless from long hours of work, he hides his pain behind a smile and softly asks, “Will you eat something?”
In that quiet sentence lies a mountain of love.
A backbone made of trust:
When a child takes the first step, a father stands just behind. Sometimes, he comes in front and says, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.” That one sentence becomes our lifelong courage.
We stumble across life’s winding turns, but the strength he gave us always walks beside. Skipping his own needs to fulfill ours—a pair of shoes for school instead of a new shirt for himself, or paying tuition fees over his own comfort—these unnoticed acts define the greatness of a father.
Dreams soaked in sweat:
Often, fathers hope their children will fulfill the dreams they once left behind. Maybe he couldn’t finish his studies, so he hands over books with unconditional faith.
On a sweltering afternoon, he finishes fieldwork and returns exhausted, yet dreams of his child’s university admission glow in his eyes. He lets go of his hobbies to nourish ours—silently, selflessly.
The forgotten fathers:
As they age, many fathers slowly become invisible. Children, absorbed in their own lives, rarely look back. Yet all these aging men want is a moment—maybe a shared cup of tea or simply someone to sit beside them and say, “I’m here because you’ve always been.”
Modern fathers : Evolved, Not detached:
Today’s generation of fathers are changing diapers, telling bedtime stories, dropping kids to school. They’re more present than ever before. But while the role may have evolved, the emotion remains timeless—an unwavering commitment to their child’s joy and well-being.
One word—“Baba”—Says it all:
On Father’s Day, we may post pictures, share old memories. But more than that, what our fathers need is our presence—our time. A warm hug, a simple “I love you” can mean the world.
And for those whose fathers are no longer here, the day becomes one of remembrance. To them we say: your fathers live on through you. Their hands held you once, and that strength still shapes your journey.
Fathers never show fatigue, yet they are the most tired. They never ask for anything, yet they deserve the most. They are the invisible umbrella in the storm, the quiet shadow that never leaves, the unknown courage that carries us forward.
This Father’s Day, let us honour them—not just in words or flowers, but in time, action, and love. Because “father” is not just a relationship—it’s a presence. A living, breathing existence that shapes us long after we learn to walk alone.
Special feature by: Tariq Litu
