Guwahati: Today is Father’s Day and amid the pandemic, there are many who are not with their father and are connecting with them via technology and apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. Father’s Day is celebrated every year on the third Sunday of June.
Father’s Day 2020, a day meant to celebrate fathers, would be quite different for many children whose fathers have been working on the frontline to combat coronavirus amid the pandemic.
The frontline COVID-19 responders, be it the police officials or the healthcare workers, are risking their lives while battling this lethal infection and leaving no stone unturned to keep the country safe.
In a conversation with us, a few corona fighters recounted their experiences of tackling the virus on their end, and shared their plans on taking out time for their loved ones on Father’s Day.
A Police official and a father of two, 16-year-old daughter and 20-year-old son shared, “On the occasion of Father’s Day, generally we used to play cricket or football and have family dinner, and usually they make greeting cards, and bring bouquets, and prepare something special for me.”
Speaking about the time he gets to spend with the family while managing the long working hours, the medical staff said, “My day starts at 7 am and by the time I reach home, I find them sleeping, and I feel I spend far less time with them than ever before. Although their mother is there, I feel they need a father too, and I’m missing on that which is a big loss.”
Dr. Sarma, a father of two, 11-year-old-son and 6-year-old daughter also struggles to set time aside for his family while treating people suffering from this deadly infection every day.
“In order to take out time for them, I have fixed my working hours, and I make it a point not to give too much of time to the mobile, once I get home, and I don”t take too many calls and I prefer to be on SMS or WhatsApp if it is urgent,” Dr. Sarma said.
Sharing his plans for Father”s Day, Dr. Sarma shared, “Normally, on Father”s Day we used to go out, and we planned lunch or dinner, but due to the ongoing health crisis, it will no longer be the same. This time around we will plan some family games, or maybe a movie that we can watch together.”
Dr. Sarma elaborates on how his role as a father has been impacted owing to his professional commitments.
“The way I used to spend time with them, that all is not existent anymore. As a doctor, I have to maintain a safe distance from them and while being on duty, I am getting exposed every day, I cannot expose them also,” he said.
Another police constable, a father to a 4-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter said that he has been working relentlessly from the last three months and haven’t been able to see his kids, but is happy to serve the nation amid the pandemic.
“At this need of the hour, more than our family, our country needs us. So, this Father”s Day is dedicated to our country, and we are not running away from our duties, and are committed to our duty and the pledge to serve the nation,” Mr Kumar said.
The constable shared how his kids have been waiting to see their father, as most of his time is spent on duty.
“When I return home and my kids see me at the door they get excited and want to run to me for a hug and I am the one who is pulling away, asking to stay away. I don’t feel good doing this to my child,” he added.
While all these frontline warriors relentlessly dedicate their service to the nation, it is the responsibility of every citizen to help them in battling it out on the frontline.
