| | | Fatherhood Redefined | | Artisans from all over the world teach us how expansive the concept of fatherhood is. From those who help raise children that are not their own, to dads who teach life’s most important lessons, to father-figures who support entire communities, we celebrate each and every one. | | | Anoop Rana | India |  | | | | Anoop Rana has no children, but he acts as a father to five. His own father was a kind, soft-spoken man, who instilled in Anoop the highest values—belief in education, kindness over material wealth, and extreme generosity. Today, Anoop forgoes his own creature comforts in order to support the children of his relatives and employees. He helps them follow their dreams, pursue their education, and succeed in their careers. | | “A lot of people ask me, why don’t you save for your future? What are you going to do when you get old? Why don’t you get married? I tell them, there are so many elderly people who have money but no one to take care of them. I would like to help as many people as I can, and I am sure God will send someone to take care of me just like I take care of the people around me.” | | Today, those children give Anoop reason to be proud. One is in the Merchant Navy. Another is a Telecom engineer. One child he supported now trains in a celebrity fitness gym, and another is a director in a large NGO. Anoop explains why he does it: | | “I especially feel for young people from the village who don’t get a good education. They don’t have the resources to study in the cities. So for me, taking care of these kids means a lot. It may not make a big difference but I believe in making change one at a time. Seeing them grow and get the education they deserve makes me feel so proud.” | | While Anoop understands that “buying items like a car or gadgets” can provide some sense of pleasure and comfort, it is not the way he chooses to leave his mark on the world. Instead, he pays it forward by investing in the future. “With a good education, these kids can help their younger siblings go to school. And this serves a greater cause and has a bigger impact.” | | Anoop may not be a biological father, but that doesn’t stop him from being an incredible “dad.” To all those men out there, like Anoop, who show their love and support beyond the boundaries of biology, we say “thank you”. | | | | | | | | |
