‘My dad, in his own words’ is a series paying tribute to our fathers, ahead of Father’s Day. We asked children to interview their fathers, showcasing the intergenerational bond between them and celebrating the wonderful and eventful lives they’ve both had. Here Khushee Gupta, journalist, podcaster, and Masters student chats to her entrepreneur dad, Rajinder Gupta.
Khushee Gupta: What was I like as a child and how do you think I have grown?
Rajinder Gupta: You were very naughty. Humari naak mein dum karke rakhti thi… We would always get complaints from school, friends and family and we were constantly worried about what to do with you. But we look at you now and we see an entirely different person. We saw a massive change in you after your sister got married but your mischievous nature still comes out from time to time…
Khushee Gupta: How did you feel when you first learnt you were going to be a father?
Rajinder Gupta: Aree it’s been so long and I never really stopped to think how I felt when I was going to become a father. I guess I was happy… probably a little nervous too (like all fathers). Your sister was born just before our first wedding anniversary and at the time I was 26 and your mum was 22.
Nowadays kids your age think, “I’m still a child myself, how can I have a kid?” But when time comes, you automatically get responsible.
By the time it got to you, we had been through a lot in life, family deaths and a miscarriage so we were a lot more mature in life. Ritu (mum) was in labour for 22 hours and when you arrived your whole face was red and it stayed that way for about a week. You eventually became a pretty popular baby in our neighbourhood – very rarely in India do people get to see a gora baccha with green eyes.
Khushee Gupta: If you could relive any year of your life, which one would it be and why?
Rajinder Gupta: I don’t know if I can answer that question. All years of my life have been worth remembering. Some good, some bad. But if I really had to pick one, it would be any of the years when both my parents were alive. Having them around made me feel like I could be a child in front of someone instead of being a dad all the time…
Zyaada serious to nahi ho gaya?
Khushee Gupta: What’s the most rebellious thing you did as a teenager?
Rajinder Gupta: Lots. Too many. I think you get your naughty nature from me because you certainly did not get it from your mum. Let’s put it this way, there have been too many times where I would pluck fruits off people’s houses and my dad would get so angry at me. Doesn’t sound too rebellious but that’s the safest answer I can give. No need to spill my jawani ke raaz in front of you.
Khushee Gupta: What’s the funniest memory you have of us as a family?
Rajinder Gupta: Our family is quite crazy, everyday you guys are laughing non-stop at one thing or the other, no matter how random it is! I think one day you were all laughing at a video of weird ways people laugh and that went on for a solid half an hour. So maybe that is my funniest memory, seeing you guys uncontrollably laughing at random things and me questioning the sanity of my household haha…
Khushee Gupta: What’s the best piece of advice your dad ever gave you?
Rajinder Gupta: More than advising, he taught me to be a good businessman. He said you should know how much money is in your customer’s wallet and know who walks into your store or business. Only then you will know what to sell to the customer and for how much.
Khushee Gupta: If you could switch lives with any fictional character for a day, who would it be?
Rajinder Gupta: Shivaji Rao from Nayak – as you youngsters say, he has the right “energy” about him and I would do wonders as India’s CM (for day)!
Khushee Gupta: Ánd finally, I don’t think you’ve ever said “Don’t Talk Back” to us, have you?
Rajinder Gupta: I haven’t, but seems like you are saying it a lot these days on your podcast!
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