Father's Day gaining ground?

'My father was very special in many ways'--KantaNovera Deepita
'In our childhood we had never even heard of Father's Day. The reason could be that I come from a middle class family and it is totally a western concept. But over the last 10 years, this special day is being observed in the country. When I went to the United States for higher studies, I was introduced to this concept and used to send cards to my father. When he was alive, I used to give him greeting cards to convey the high regard that I had of him.

'My father was very special in many ways and was held in high esteem by everyone who knew him. I have grown up seeing his sacrificing nature. He always wanted us to be highly educated. Nothing would bring as big a smile on his face than if we got good scores in the exams. He used to inspire us to focus on studies. It is due to my parents' contribution that I am now a successful danseuse.

'My father was very close to my siblings and me. Unlike his contemporaries, he was also very friendly with our friends. We used to compose dance pieces sitting together. Whenever I compose a dance or organise any show, I always imagine how he would have appreciated my work or what it would have been like working with him in that programme.'

'My greatest friend was my father'--AgunAfsar Ahmed
'Why celebrate only one special day for fathers out of 365 days a year? Why not dedicate each day to fathers?' questions popular singer of the present time, Agun, while expressing his views on Father's Day. Agun is the only son of all rounder, eminent, actor-director, late Khan Ataur Rahman and singer late Nilufer Yasmeen.

For Agun, Father's Day is not a new concept. In fact, he was well acquainted with this occasion when he was still a child. 'My parents were very liberal. There is an element of western culture in the family, but we have never observed this type of special day,' says Agun. 'Though my father is no more, he is a constant presence in my life,' he adds. 'It is not necessary to show one's respect towards his or her father or go to the graveyard to pay honour on that occasion.'

According to Agun, Khan Ata was his greatest friend. 'He was more like a friend than a father to me,' exclaims Agun. 'It is for him, besides my mother, that I was attracted to music.' The memory of his father was particularly vivid, he says, in those days when he was a student or was occasionally depressed.

Says Agun, 'He was very frank with me. I never had to hide anything from him.' He goes back in time to talk about those late night conversations with his father. 'Even at 3 am, we shared each other's perspectives, emotions, and other earthly matters. I still remember frying eggs together to fill up our stomachs at that unearthly hour.

'He was very witty. He had a great personality, and he guided me on the right path throughout his life,' recalls Agun. Reminiscing on his father, he touches on an anecdote. In his words, 'I remember the time when I met my wife (at that time my girl friend) after long eight years suddenly at our colony and I couldn't control my emotions and shouted like a film hero. Unexpectedly my father came out to the balcony and asked me whether everything was all right. I told him that I was in love. And my father's reaction was "very good!" which I will never forget.'

Father's Day is one more day for Agun to remember his beloved late father. 'My attachment to my father was unique and I still miss him at every step of my life', concludes Agun.