While pregnancy can be a wholesome experience, the journey is not always easy and is often peppered with bouts of mood swings, difficulties in keeping down food and many more not-so-little bothers. And most women would find themselves turning to their mothers for every little thing. However, when a man got to know his daughter was pregnant a year after his wife passed away, he stepped up to fill in her place. Now, a poignant post by the father has left people emotional online.
In a heart-warming thread, Retired Colonel Sanjay Pande shared how he wanted his daughter to get the best care during her pregnancy, although admitting that had his wife been around, he would have been pretty “useless”. But adhering to his traits of a fighter, he didn’t let anything be an obstacle once he set his target. He decided to be a ‘mother’.
“Right from the day she informed me, I planned her traditional diet, learnt by researching through nights, YouTube, elders, books and everything I could lay my hands on,” Pande wrote. He soon began making nutritious laddus for his expecting daughter.
2. I decided to be my daughters ‘mother’. Right from the day she informed me, I planned her traditional diet, learnt by researching through nights, YouTube, elders, books and everything I could lay my hands on. The FIRST batch of laddus for 30 days was ready. Problem? Delhi & UK!
— Col Sanjay Pande (Retd) (@ColSanjayPande) May 8, 2022
He then encountered another hurdle of sending it over to the UK from Delhi. However, undeterred by anything, the doting father figured it out quickly and mastered the process of sending over various kinds of laddus. “Vaccum packing machine, food grade plastics, freezing laddus for 96 hrs, packing as sending them by parcel to UK,” he explained the process of sending the sweets to his daughter. Explaining why his efforts mattered so much, he added, “The first lot saved my daughter’s life since she was eating nothing.”
4. The cycle started. Every type of healthy & nutritious food that a traditional Indian mother would give to her daughter, was made by me personally. Hygiene, calculation of nutrients, calories, weight of laddus, storing technique etc. all were meticulously written down.
— Col Sanjay Pande (Retd) (@ColSanjayPande) May 8, 2022
“Every type of healthy & nutritious food that a traditional Indian mother would give to her daughter was made by me personally,” he wrote. And even though pandemics set in and the world went under a lockdown, Pande made sure nothing stopped him from taking care of his daughter in a different country. “All eight months she was fed in UK what she would have got here.”
And once the baby was delivered, Pande worried about how he could now take care of his daughter in post-partum. He got down to research again, this time focusing on foods helping in lactation, and he “continued for each month.”
6. Again research, foods & super foods helping in lactation or increasing milk etc was studied and the first lot was dispatched in August. It continued for each month. I visited UK and made in bulk. Whether it was Garden Cress, Edible Gum, Methi, Shatawari or many such things,
— Col Sanjay Pande (Retd) (@ColSanjayPande) May 8, 2022
Finally, when he could travel again, he visited his daughter and grandchild in the UK and took more laddus with him. “Whether it was Garden Cress, Edible Gum, Methi, Shatawari or many such things, I became master,” the proud father said. He was elated that the flow of these mothers’ special food was supplied by a father to his daughter and how it continues, with now even his grandchild enjoying it.
8. day. Today I have perfect recipes of more than 12 laddus that women require from conception to the baby crossing a year of age. I feel so proud of myself that I did not let my wife down. My daughter swears by me and refuses to touch anything given by others. Interesting?
— Col Sanjay Pande (Retd) (@ColSanjayPande) May 8, 2022
“Today I have perfect recipes of more than 12 laddus that women require from conception to the baby crossing a year of age,” he wrote. “I feel so proud of myself that I did not let my wife down. My daughter swears by me and refuses to touch anything given by others,” Pande added.
“I never realised that what I did from Jan 2019 up to today was anything but my duty,” he wrote in conclusion.
9. I never realised that what I did from Jan 2019 up to today was anything but my duty. A random thought triggered the thread today. I am amazed at response, comments, suggestions & kind words from Twitter friends. Admitting unashamedly, you all made me cry today. Love you all.
— Col Sanjay Pande (Retd) (@ColSanjayPande) May 8, 2022
Moved by his thread, many said it is a beautiful story celebrating the love between a father and daughter. Others saluted him for his determination to master things unknown to him. While praising him, some even requested him to share his perfected recipes so it can in turn help others.
What a beautiful, tender thread. God bless your grandchild and daughter and you. My eyes are moist https://t.co/f2xrSInEqU
I believe every parent has the potential to be a mom and a dad, both.
Couldn’t have read a better thread today! https://t.co/IrlJrox9Nn
Sir that’s very inspiring. You should pen down those and pass on your knowledge to others so that they can also learn. https://t.co/id2g7WfAse
— Santosh Kumar Rana (@santoshnitr) May 9, 2022
I lost my mother & months later I was pregnant.I have seen my father shape-shifting toa pampering https://t.co/jnX2gN4sIR craving of mine went unattended and everything was plated n served to me be it food ,medication,love or concern. My girl totally adores her nanu n vice versa. https://t.co/6vfP9uiDP7
As someone who became a mum right at the beginning of COVID who doesn’t have a mother, this made me cry!
Your daughter is incredibly lucky. And you are an amazing dad! https://t.co/sJidRexGzR
You have earned the title of a super dadi ji to add the row already on your chest and you wear it with distinction and pride(that I could read between the lines) Hats off to you sir My humble submission please do pen a book on your two years of a long distance mom/dad 🙌👍🙌👍
Sir, their are no words in this world to describe the true love. It can only be expressed. ‘ONCE A SOLDIER ALWAYS A SOLDIER’, soldiers are the ones who know how to tackle every obstacle with ease. Respect and salute🌼🌼 Jai Hind🇮🇳🇮🇳
@ColSanjayPande Sir, really inspiring story, had tears in my eyes as I recently lost my wife and starting on a journey to raise my 6 year old daughter. Your story gives lot of confidence. Thank you
@ColSanjayPande Sir, really inspiring story, had tears in my eyes as I recently lost my wife and starting on a journey to raise my 6 year old daughter. Your story gives lot of confidence. Thank you
Yesterday I read on Twitter someone saying that “mothering” is gender neutral. Please compile your recipes and diet plan during pregnancy. Also I wish more men would do it even when the wife/mother is around.
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