This Father’s Day I’ve got something very important to say
// June 19th, 2011 // 4 Comments » // Uncategorized
This Father’s day, I’d like to answer the question that people have been asking me forever. Why do I not drink or smoke? Almost 90% of the time, the immediate follow-up question (even before I answer the first question) is “Is it a religious thing? Y’all are not allowed to do it?”.
Let me answer the 2nd question first. A true Hindu would never have any vices. But then, I haven’t seen a true Hindu yet – one that practices Yoga, is not tied to worldly possessions, performs his duties without expecting anything in return etc.
I’m not a true Hindu. But that’s not the reason why I don’t drink or smoke.
And before I answer the first question, I’d like to talk a little bit about my dad.
He worked 2 jobs even when my mom was working as a teacher to help raise 3 kids and send them to engineering colleges.
He had a relatively short temper. He’s toned it down several notches over the past few years. But besides that, he was just awesome.
He used to be the first one to wake up in the morning, make coffee for himself and my mom. I remember seeing them sitting on the kitchen floor drinking their coffee and talking softly so not to wake the kids up (it was a small house).
He taught me how to drive a scooter (Not the girly ones. The one with gears and clutch and all that). He also taught me gardening and so many other things.
He bought me this bicycle even when everyone advised him not to. It was pretty expensive back then (15 years back, roughly USD $30) when you could get the other bikes for half that price. He took so much flak for it. I LOVED that thing so much. I rode it to school every day.
I couldn’t find a picture of it any where on the web. Guess they don’t make ‘em anymore. The following picture is close enough, except mine was black in color.
He was my hero back then. He still is and always will be.
I love you, dad. Happy Father’s Day.
And to answer the 1st question, I don’t drink or smoke because my dad never did.
And oh by the way, in about 6 months I’m going to be a dad too 
Here’s my baby – 11 weeks old.
