A father is probably a child’s first role model.Here are some inspirational ‘fatherhood’ stories that have set examples

& taught us valuable life lessons.

Once you start something, finish it.

With 175 meters to go in his 400 meters semi-final Derek Redmond pulled his hamstring.

Crying he stands up again, only to try to finish on one leg. His father watching from the sidelines joins him with words of comfort – “We’ll finish together”.’

Be the change you want to see in the world.

Back in 1979, many animals & reptiles were found dead in the sandbars of river Brahmaputra due to lack of tress and excessive heat.

In order to set an example for his children and the community, Jadav Molai Payeng (16 year old then) started with planting 20 bamboo seedlings on the sandbar. Even after the completion of a 5 year tree plantation project he continued to plant more trees on his own for several decades and transformed the area into a dense forest reserve. The forest, called Molai forest after him encompasses an area of about 1,360 acres and is now habitat for numerous species of animals & reptiles.

Only the physical self can be handicapped, not the dreams.

Rick Hoyt, diagnosed with cerebral palsy since early childhood was raised like a normal kid against the doctor’s recommendation for institutionalization.

When in middle school Rick wanted to enter a charity race. His father Dick Hoyt, in order to fulfil his little wish, offered to push him in a clunky chair, and together they completed the arduous race. This led to a lifetime of team racing.

The father and son duo have finished more than 1,090 races, including 252 triathlons, 70 marathons, and 94 half marathons.

Happiness can be found in the simplest of things.

Pyambu Tuul came in last in the marathon at Barcelona in 1992. Though one could call his run a Mongolian Olympic marathon record, he stated that it wasn’t the greatest day in his life.

When probed by the reporters he said, “Up till six months ago I had no sight at all. I was a totally blind person. The best day was when I got my sight back and I saw my two daughters for the first time.”