Celebrating Father’s Day: The simple things fathers did that shaped our lives quietly

Hyderabad: While mothers are often remembered for their warmth and nurture, fathers—especially in Indian households—have quietly passed down their own brand of everyday genius.

These weren’t elaborate lessons but simple, effective hacks that emerged from frugality, habit or sheer improvisation. On Father’s Day, we revisit the small things our fathers did that made a big difference, even if we didn’t notice it then.

Fixing everything with almost nothing

One of the most common ‘dad hacks’ across generations is the ability to repair broken things without ever calling a professional. From ceiling fans to jammed zippers, Indian fathers often relied on basic tools and intuition.

“My dad never threw anything away. A broken switchboard? He’d take out a screwdriver, reuse old wires, and somehow it worked again,” said Rahul N, a 28-year-old engineer.

Their toolbox was often a mix of rusted spanners, electrical tape, Feviquick and unmatched screws. But the outcome? Functioning items that otherwise would’ve gone straight to the bin today.

The economics of daily life

Many fathers managed households with limited resources and unlimited calculation skills. Whether it was stretching petrol for the week or negotiating electricity bills, their logic was both simple and sharp.

“My father measured petrol by time, not litres. He’d say, ‘Full tank chahiye toh Rs 500 bharwa lo, poora hafta nikal jayega.’ (Put Rs 500 worth of petrol, the bike will run for a week) He was rarely wrong,” recalled Priya A, a professional.

Even their grocery tricks were on point. Buying coriander with roots intact, choosing unbranded dals in cloth bags or checking the bottom of rice sacks for quality—these weren’t just cost-saving moves but also early lessons in value-based living.

Health hacks that pre-dated Google

Before the internet, fathers often relied on experience and family knowledge for basic health remedies. The go-to cures were usually simple:

• Ajwain + salt for stomach pain

• Dettol in a mug for shaving cuts

• Turmeric in milk for everything else

“Whenever I had a fever, my dad’s answer was always, ‘Sweat it out with a blanket and a hot chai.’ I didn’t know it then, but it worked,” said Sumeet K, a school teacher.

In many cases, fathers weren’t just physical caretakers but silent pharmacists—doling out preventive advice like “TV se door baitho” or “baarish ke paani mein mat khelo.” (sit away from the TV and don’t play in the rain)

Efficiency over perfection

Time was precious, and fathers used it wisely. From ironing shirts with newspaper linings to polishing shoes with banana peel or petroleum jelly, the hacks were all about getting the job done without overcomplicating it.

“My father never used shaving cream. He’d use soap foam and said it was better for the blade. I didn’t believe him until I tried it during college. He was right,” said Harsh V, a college student, with a laugh.

Even train travel was a tactical game—book early, carry homemade food, wear slip-on sandals for security checks, and always pack two towels: one for the seat and one for the face.

Relationship hacks without saying a word

Indian fathers were not always emotionally expressive, but their hacks extended to bonding and parenting as well. A surprise packet of cream biscuits, sitting silently next to you during TV time, or fixing your broken toy without asking—these were their ways of saying “I’m here.”

“My dad would bring home a single Dairy Milk when he was in a good mood. He never said much, but we understood that was his way of celebrating us,” said Latha Menon, a writer.

They didn’t give long lectures; they led by example—punctuality, honesty, and consistency were silently embedded into routines.

Why these hacks matter today

In an age of disposable gadgets and fast convenience, these old-school fatherly hacks serve as reminders of resourcefulness, resilience, and rootedness. They’re not just nostalgic—they are practical blueprints for sustainability, budgeting, and self-reliance.

“Our dads grew up with less, so they made more of everything—space, money, time. It’s only now we’re starting to realise how forward-thinking they were,” noted Dr Nikhil Rao, a sociologist.

Father’s Day is not just about grand gestures or greeting cards. Sometimes, it’s about remembering the everyday genius of a man who could change a tube light without turning off the mains or fix your science project while sipping chai. Their legacy lies not in what they told us, but what they showed us, again and again.

This year, maybe all we need to say is: Thanks, Dad. I still use that Nuska.