Fathers are the solid foundation of our lives. They are the strength we rely on as we take our first step in the world. Fathers can be tender, tough, fragile or powerful but they are probably the most uncomplicated love we will ever know. Father’s Day is celebrated annually on the third Sunday of June.
ABPL Group's weekly newspapers, 'Gujarat Samachar' and 'Asian Voice' organized a unique event named 'Pitruvandana' on the occasion of Father's Day on 20 June 2021, on Zoom platform from 3 pm to 6 pm (BST). The programme was managed by famous announcer Tushar Joshi. He initiated the programme by wishing his father and commemorating the memories spent with him. He said it is the father who protects his children. The father explains the importance of hard work at every step of life. He said that C B Patel, the Editor/Publisher of Gujarat Samachar' and 'Asian Voice', was advised by his father to work in the field of education and with this Gyanyagna he started the ABPL group.
Famous singer Maayaben Deepak presented a song composed by Punit Maharaj,” Bhulo Bhale Biju Badhu Maa-Baap ne Bhulsho Nahi.” She also dedicated a song from a movie named “Hum Sath Sath Hai”. Ms Jyoti Gurnani, Assistant Sales and Marketing Manager, ABPL Group, wished all the viewers and paid condolences to the parents who lost their lives in the pandemic.
Renowned doctor from Ahmedabad Dr Prashant Bhimani joined the event from USA. Dr Bhimani said, “I loved the word ‘Pitruvandana’. Usually, people believe fathers are an obstacle, but he is the only person who removes all the problems from one’s life. Father is the one who guides and instructs the right path of life". My father, Harish Bhimani, once guided me in my difficult times and said, we have to show the world who we are”. And this sentence helped me a lot. Dr Bhimani explained the relations between father and child. Parents are believed to be our God who gives us everything. He described Mr CB Patel as one the best persons and a brilliant personality and praised him.
Mrs. MeenaTrivedi, who received her musical training from Bhartiya Vidhya Bhavan and settled in the UK, presented various melodious songs for sons and daughters. Mrs. Vandana Somaiya, born in Africa and learned Hindustani classical music from her father, presented melodic song, “Tora Man Darpan Kahelaaye”, “Tumhi ho Mata, Pita Tumhi ho.” Former High Commissioner of India to the UK, Mrs. Ruchi Ghanshyam wished Happy Father's Day to all the fathers of the world. Sharing her views, she said,” father is like an enormous tree and in that tree’s shadow, the children will feel safe. Children learn a lot from him. Father plays an important role in shaping the future of his children. Talking about her father, she said, “her father used to spend enough time to help her in her studies. In India, mothers give more attention to household chores, cooking etc, but fathers always encourage their children to study more and choose the right direction in life. She also recalled the golden time she spent with her father.
Consulting Editor of Gujarat Samachar, UK, Mrs. Jyotsna Shah’s son and Managing Director of KKR and Head of Legal and Compliance, India Mr Jigar Shah said, "my father was very special to me. He took all the responsibilities as a guardian of our whole family from a young age. We recently lost him". Mumbai based Chandrakantbhai Khatri of Umang Publication said, “In foreign culture only a day is marked to remember our parents but in our Indian culture, we mark 15 days i.e. Shraddha Paksha in the loving memories of our parents.
Valuable readers Harshaben Pandya, Sureshbhai Patel and Tarlaben Modha also shared sweet memories and praised the initiate of celebrating Father’s day virtually. The event was attended by dignitaries of various organizations. Lord Jitesh Gadhia’s mother Shrimati Hansaben Gadhia, Kantibhai Nagda, Vimalji Odedra, and Jitubhai Gadhvi were special invitees at the function.
CB Patel thanked everyone and said, “Father is not just a term but a feeling that comes with huge responsibilities. He is the one who makes us believe that no matter what happens, there's someone who always stood like a rock behind us. As Dr. Bhimani said, “we should accept the flaws of each and everyone. For me the path to beatitude is service through the media.” To make this event more memorable, Kokilaben and the ABPL team worked hard. Tusharbhai concluded the event by thanking each and everyone. Around 200 people joined the virtual celebration.
