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For content creator Aaditya Shukla, the person who has most shaped his life with fatherly love and guidance isn’t a man at all, it’s his mother. “She believes in me, keeps me focused, and pushes me to do better, whether it's school or my content creator journey,” he says. “She gives the best advice, roasts me like a friend, and still makes sure I eat on time.” In every way, she’s been his rock: nurturing, steady, and endlessly supportive.

This Father’s Day, as many celebrate their dads, others like Aaditya are reflecting on the mentors within and beyond their families who stepped into fatherly roles. From elder siblings to grandfathers, uncles to family friends, these figures offered emotional anchoring and real-world wisdom when biological fathers weren’t present or couldn’t fulfil those roles.

Role of siblings

For Aditi Khandelwal, her two elder brothers are the men she calls her father figures. “They have cared for me, protected me, and stood by me through every phase of life,” she says. “They ensured I got a good education, supported me wholeheartedly during my wedding, and looked after me with love and patience during and after my pregnancy.”

Aditi’s story is one of countless in India, where the joint family system—and its modern adaptations, often allow for siblings and extended relatives to take on critical caregiving roles. According to a 2018 UNICEF report, over 13% of Indian children live in single-parent households, often relying on broader family networks for emotional and financial support.

The guidance of an elder brother or cousin can often stand in for the protective, nurturing strength typically associated with a father. “They haven’t just been my brothers – they have been my father figures in every sense,” she says. “Everything that a father does, they’ve done for me with love, strength, and unwavering support.”

Legacy through leadership

These bonds, forged through consistency and care, go far beyond responsibility; they shape character and identity. Especially for children who lose their father young or grow up in single-parent households, mentorship becomes a quiet lifeline.

Abhilasha Singh, now an Assistant Manager in PR, grew up watching her grandfather not only support the family but also lead entire communities. A former Lok Sabha member and a visionary leader in Western Uttar Pradesh, he taught by example. “Many of his teachings continue to guide our family and are still cherished by the community he served so selflessly,” she shares.

When he passed away in 2021, her family organised a remembrance ceremony and expected a modest crowd. Over 8,000 people came. “That day, we felt an overwhelming sense of pride, not just as his family, but as witnesses to the legacy of a man whose life was truly dedicated to the service of others.”

This struck a deep chord with me as my own grandfather, too, had mentored thousands of students over his lifetime, who still remember him.

Web of support

Stories like Abhilasha’s highlight how fatherhood, at its best, can transcend traditional definitions. It becomes about leadership, legacy, and care, not just for one's own children, but for a larger circle.

These male mentors, whether blood relatives or not, don’t just give advice. They offer stability in times of chaos, encouragement in times of doubt, and a sense of belonging in moments of loneliness. They show up in practical ways: teaching you how to negotiate a salary, cheering for your entrance exams, and reminding you of your worth after a breakup.

In Indian culture, the idea of a father figure has long existed in both mythology and community tradition. From Krishna’s guidance to Arjuna in the Mahabharata to the countless gurus, teachers, and even employers that form lifelong bonds with their wards, mentorship rooted in compassion is woven into the fabric of how many of us grow.

Emotional strength

What makes these figures so special is not just what they do, but how they do it. In a society where men are rarely taught to express care with vulnerability, these mentors show a different kind of strength, the strength to be gentle, to listen, to stand beside you rather than above you.

Recent research from the American Psychological Association (APA) notes that emotional availability in male role models contributes significantly to adolescent self-esteem, stress regulation, and long-term relationship stability. In India, a 2023 YouGov survey also found that over 60% of Gen Z respondents said they look for emotional intelligence in a mentor over authoritative leadership.

"Growing up without a father, I often felt untethered. But my cricket coach, Mr. Rajan, changed that. He never missed a single match, gave me life advice during long bus rides, and taught me what responsibility looks like," says Akshay Mehra, a Delhi-based MBA student. "To me, he was more than a coach; he was the father figure I didn’t know I needed."

Similarly, Mumbai-based graphic designer Nikhil Rane reflects, "My boss during my first internship not only taught me how to design but how to live. He noticed when I was burnt out, talked to me about balancing ambition with health, and even helped me negotiate my first job offer. That kind of mentorship stayed with me for life."

Father’s Day, then, becomes more than a celebration of paternity. It becomes an opportunity to honour the mentors who became mirrors, anchors, and compass points. As Aaditya puts it, “I honestly don’t know how she manages it all, but I feel super lucky to have her as my biggest support.”

And as Aditi reminds us, “You are not just my brothers, you are my father too, in the most beautiful way possible.”

In a world where fatherhood is often boxed into outdated expectations, these stories remind us of something timeless: the act of raising someone is not limited by biology; it’s made sacred by love, presence, and care.