In this first-person account, facilitated by Nishtha Kawrani and narrated to The Better India, Devanshu Srivastav reflects on his late father and explores the idea of fatherhood beyond biology. He shares how his uncle stepped in as a father figure when he needed one most, and how, in turn, he became like a son to his uncle to help save his life during a critical medical illness.

Every year, I see fathers and their children celebrating Father's Day, whether through social media posts, family gatherings, or simple moments on the streets of Delhi. 

While these celebrations bring joy to many, they also remind me of a loss I experienced when I was just nine years old.

My father passed away during my childhood, leaving behind a void that no Father's Day message or memory could ever fill. 

For years, I found myself wondering what life would have been like if he had been there to guide me through school, adolescence, and adulthood. 

The feeling wasn't limited to a single day in June. It stayed with me throughout the year, surfacing during important milestones, difficult decisions, and moments when I needed a father's advice.

Yet, life has a way of redefining relationships. In the years that followed, I came to understand that fatherhood is not always determined by blood. Sometimes, it is defined by the person who chooses to stand beside you when life becomes uncertain.

The uncle who stepped in to become ‘father’

I grew up in an ancestral home in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, where three generations of our family lived together.

My grandparents, parents, younger brother, uncle, and I shared the same house. Like many children, I did not think much about money or how the household ran. 

My father loved us deeply, but he remained unemployed for most of his life. Due to a lack of formal education and the influence of the wrong company, he was unable to build a stable career. Despite his struggles, he always tried his best to fulfil our wishes. Whether it was a toy from the market, a packet of sweets, or taking us out for an evening, he rarely let us return disappointed. 

However, the financial responsibility of supporting........

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