By Masooma M Lotia

He called me his “Little Princess”. He hugged me tight, and told me he loved me a lot. I still remember the way we used to have silly gossips in hot summer afternoons and how I used to snuggle up to him in cold winters. The rides I used to get on his “Yamaha 80” are still so vivid. His laughter was so full of life & his attitude so positive. The nights were always so special as I slept soundly on his big chest, dreaming peacefully because I knew that he is there to protect me from all nightmares.

Yet on rainy day of October 1983, all that was taken away from me when he suffered a heart attack and left for a better place up in the Heavens. He was just in his early 40’s and I was only 5 years old. At that time I didn’t even know what death meant but only one thing was clear. My handsome hero, with his warm smile and bear hugs was no more. He had gone and although he left a very very loving family behind to take care of me, now the sleep was not so peaceful and neither the world so beautiful anymore.

It seems like a miracle how I remember everything so clearly. Our times in the parks seem like it just happened yesterday and not 27 years ago. I remember how helpful & kind he was. Anybody could call my father at 2:00 am for help and he would be there without delay.

As I was only 5 at that time I never knew my father’s personality as an adult. So I recollected all his memories by asking our family & friends. The things they remember about Amir Halai.

According to our family, he was loving brother & brother in law who was always cracking jokes with sisters, having fun with brothers and for his sister-in law, he was a saviour & a great support. His friends & acquaintances he was kind, helpful, very friendly, full life & fun.Over all everyone remembers him as bold, confident, straightforward person who was never afraid to tell the truth & ever ready to lend a hand. He was wise & generous and everyone remembers the happiness & love he spread around.

Father’s Day came around as perfect opportunity for me to pay tribute not only to my father but Fathers all around the world. On behalf of Desi Akhbar, I did a survey and asked different people around the globe what their fathers mean to them and what they learned from their Dads.

I myself learnt to be an optimistic & friendly because that’s all I remember about him. People say that my attitude is very much like him. I am proud to be my Abbus’s daughter.

Nisreen Unwala – USA: He mens the world to me. We all have names!!!!!but are incomplete. It has no identity!!!!Unless you put your dad’s name with yours and suddenly the whole world starts recognizing….you, so if your name is soo incomplete without him imagine your life without that stature besides you to guide you through…ups and down of your life….

Taher – Karachi, Pakistan: I lost my dad when I was only 9 years. All I remeber about him is that he used to get me lots of things and I went out a lot with him. He has fierytemper but still he loved me & my brothers very much. I believe that if he’d been around my life would have been much more easier. It has been 6 years andmy whole life is ahead of me & I’m going to miss my dad and his guidance till the day I will go ahead and meet him.

Hassan Halai- Multan, Pakistan: My father is my father. There is no one like him

Azra Lotia – Rawalpindi, Pakistan: My father left us for his heavenly abode 23 years ago-but he was a handsome,intelligent n affectionate father. I salute him today and pray for his soul to rest in peace.

Lubaina Darugar – Karachi, Pakistan: A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again. My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me. I have found my prince but my Daddy will always be my King. I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.

Shabbir Fakhruddin – Multan, Pakistan: Maa ky qadmoo taley jannat ha aur baap ky baghair jeab (pocket) khali ha. I salute my father.

Sonia – England: Honesty, loving-kindness, sense of humor, respect for life, importance of family are the things that my dad taught us all.

Mrs Fatima H Halai – Multan, Pakistan: I’m a grandmother now but I still miss my father & his guidance. He told our mother to teach all us how to run a household. He made sure that everything was taught to us so that we wouldn’t face any problems in our married life. His golden advice has been a beacon of light for more than 45 years. Now the same legacy has been passed on to my daughters.

Mrs Samina Saifuddin – Karachi, Pakistan: I was born after 5 brothers and 2 sisters and was always a darling of my father. I remeber my father as an honest and very decent human being who was affectionate and a supporting pillar in lives of all his children. My father was always very polite and although he was strict rule follower, he never let his rules hurt other people.

Murtaza Lotia – Karachi, Pakistan: My father has taught me to bravely face all the problems in life. He has also taught me honesty and integrity.

Ebrahim Murtaza Lotia -Karachi, Pakistan: I’m a very lucky kid because I’ve avery loving father who cares a lot for me. My mother left me when I was very young and for the 10 out of 11 years of my life, he has been both mother & father for me. My father is the best father in the world. He is always teaching me good things about life. He always tells me to be kind to others and to be responsible. He wants me to study well and be a good human being. He is very brave and honest. I love him very much.

Murtaza Hussain – India: Do those little things that often don’t require much more time or effort but which bring much joy into life: fresh flowers, a ripe pear.

A friend who doesn’t want to mention her name – Australia: Unfortunately from my Dad I learned more about what not to be than any positive lessons. Don’t be too harsh with your children, supporting them emotionally is at least as important as anything financial. Show your family how much you value them, not how much you expect them to do for you.

S.Khan – Lahore, Pakistan: When I think about my dad, a part of me feels disappointed that he never saw me and my brothers grow up, become parents and accomplished individuals. He would have been very proud of his children. I’m sorry he and my mom didn’t have more time together. When he died, she was left with a gaping hole in her heart that never really healed. As for me, I’m sad that I never got to say, “Thank you, Dad. You were exactly the kind of father I needed to become who I am.” But then, my dad’s spirit still guides me, so he knows.

Happy Father’s Day to you and your dads. Thank you all the dads all over the world for being the supporting pillar in our lives. Those dads who are not with us any more, may they rest in peace.