This Father's Day, we spoke to founders, business leaders, healthcare professionals, and changemakers who shared the lessons that continue to guide their personal and professional lives. From learning the importance of humility and hard work to understanding the value of patience, purpose, and compassion, these stories are a tribute to the fathers who inspired them to dream bigger, work harder, and lead with character.
Here are their heartfelt messages of gratitude and remembrance.
1. Rohan Khanduja, Founder, <a href="https://LotusWW.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Lotus Worldwide</a> &amp; ORIGIN | Product Leader at Amazon
Rohan Khanduja never followed the obvious path-he built a new one. Across 16 years in technology, financial services, and product leadership at Amazon, he learned how bold ideas become products people trust.
Today, through Lotus Worldwide and its consumer brand, ORIGIN, he is building FIREFLY, a premium portable smart lamp designed to move with modern life. He also supports the Lotus Worldwide Foundation, which advances education, mentorship, and opportunity for underserved communities.
For Rohan, success is not measured by titles alone, but by what you create, whom you uplift, and the impact that remains after you leave.
&ldquo;My father taught me that real strength is quiet, success means little without humility, and character is built when no one is watching. His sacrifices became my foundation, his resilience became my compass, and his values became the invisible hand guiding every dream I dare to build.&rdquo;
2. Mr. Santosh Kumar Sahu - Co-Founder of Gogreen
Gogreen is a national agri-warehousing and collateral management company serving more than 25 states through 700 locations, handling 200+ commodities, working with 42+ banks, 4,000+ clients, 500+ FPOs and over 5 lakh farmers through its network of 2,000+ warehouses with more than 3.5 million MT storage capacity. The foundation of my journey was laid by my father. Despite spending nearly 20 days every month away from home to provide for his three children, he ensured we received quality education, values and opportunities. His dedication, integrity, loyalty and patience shaped my professional career and entrepreneurial journey. His timeless lesson remains: "Stay honest, stay committed, and success will follow in its own time."
3. Dr. Sambhav Shah l Endoscopic Spine Surgeon and Founder <a href="https://www.atsecureclinics.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">@ Secure Clinics</a>
&ldquo;I grew up watching my father treat patients not as cases, but as people trying to get their lives back. That&rsquo;s the lens I bring to @ Secure Clinics,&rdquo; says founder Dr. Sambhav Shah, son of orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Prasham Shah. He, along with his co-founders physiotherapists Dr. Dinky Shah and Dr. Ankit Sheth believe, recovery isn&rsquo;t just about surgery, it&rsquo;s the months after that decide whether a patient truly heals. Yet most face this stretch as a maze of disconnected referrals: a surgeon here, a therapist there , no one talking to each other.
@ Secure Clinics bridges that gap. Its philosophy- One Plan, One Team, One Place, brings surgeons, physiotherapists, aquatherapy experts, nutritionists, and rehabilitation professionals together under one roof, working off a single coordinated plan, from diagnosis to complete recovery.
4. Pranay Punjabi - Founder &amp; CEO of <a href="https://xech.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">XECH Technologies </a>
The force behind Everyday Organisers and Timalfi. He is also the Co-founder of AquaMinder and co-founded Theo Solutions Pvt Ltd. With an entrepreneurial mindset, he blends design, functionality, and innovation to create products that elevate everyday living. A licensed commercial pilot and state-level chess player, he drives growth through innovation and strategic thinking
What I have learned most from my father is the power of being calm, patient, and spiritually grounded. He taught me that hard work always compounds over time, but only when your thoughts are clear and your mind is steady. His belief in meditation, discipline, and quiet perseverance has shaped the way I approach both life and business. In a world that moves fast, he taught me to pause, gather my thoughts, and act with purpose.
5. Dr. Sanket Mehta, Founder and Surgical Oncologist, SSO Cancer Hospital
Dr. Sanket Mehta is a leading Surgical Oncologist and the pioneer who introduced Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS), HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy), and intra-operative USG-guided liver surgery in India.
His father, Dr. Sharad Mehta, a respected General Surgeon and founder of his own hospital in Mumbai, has been a profound influence on both his personal and professional journey.
&ldquo;My father, Dr. Sharad Mehta, came to Mumbai from the small town of Morbi in Gujarat with nothing but a surgical degree. Despite numerous challenges, he built a remarkable career and an even greater legacy as a human being. On this Father&rsquo;s Day, I thank him for teaching me that there is no substitute for hard work, no shortcut to success, and no greater responsibility than giving back to society while always standing by your family. These values continue to guide me every day.&rdquo;
6. Akhilesh Verma, Founder &amp; CEO, <a href="http://www.akoode.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Akoode</a> Technologies Private Limited
My father taught me discipline, empathy, and the beauty of creating meaningful impact. One lesson remains my guiding light: success is measured not by what we achieve, but by how many lives we touch.He always said, &ldquo;No one should suffer because of you,&rdquo; a profound reminder to lead with kindness and responsibility.
His example continues to shape how I live, lead, and serve. At Akoode Technologies, those lessons echo through everything we do. Every product we build and every solution we deliver is rooted in that very belief: technology should serve people and make life a little better. Happy Father&rsquo;s Day to the man who taught me that true leadership is defined by care for others. Your legacy is the heartbeat of our mission.Happy Father&rsquo;s Day to my ultimate mentor.
7. The Power Siblings Behind India&rsquo;s Leading Mental Health Care Enterprise &ndash; Trijog: Know Your Mind
Siblings in Life. Partners in Purpose.
Arushi Sethi Shah - CEO, and Sahej Sethi - COO, are the sibling duo behind Trijog: Know Your Mind. Together, they are redefining mental health care in India and making tech-enabled quality mental health support more accessible. &ldquo;Before there was a shared mission, there was you, whose quiet strength shaped our lives.&rdquo;
Thank you, Dad. Through every chapter of our lives, you have been our anchor in uncertainty and our loudest cheerleader in every triumph. By showing up, standing firm, and teaching us to choose the right path over the easy one, you gave us a blueprint for life. Happy Father&rsquo;s Day to our first mentor, greatest champion, and forever pillar of strength.
8. Dr. M. Hussain Kalsekar, Founder &amp; CEO, 366 DigitX
For Dr. M. Hussain Kalsekar, some of the most valuable business lessons came from his father. &ldquo;Mere Dad kehte the, &lsquo;Naam se nahi, kaam se pehchaan banti hai,&rsquo;&rdquo; he recalls. That principle continues to shape his approach to digital marketing, where he prioritizes results and ROI over vanity metrics. Another lesson that stayed with him was his father's belief in value over shortcuts. &ldquo;Papa never bought cheap, he bought value,&rdquo; says Dr. Kalsekar. This philosophy reflects in the way he advises brands to invest in meaningful storytelling and long-term brand building rather than chasing quick wins. This Father's Day, he credits his,father Mr. Mohammed Ismail Abdul Rehman Kalsekar for teaching him that sustainable success is built on substance, trust, and consistent effort.
9. Shilpi Singh, Director, Della Leaders Club
For Shilpi Singh, Director at Della Leaders Club, the foundation of her leadership philosophy was laid at home. Growing up, she watched her father work tirelessly without seeking recognition or rewards. &ldquo;I grew up watching my father put in the hours without ever asking, &lsquo;What&rsquo;s in it for me?&rsquo; His principle was simple: &lsquo;Don&rsquo;t work for the reward, work with intent. You work hard &amp; recognition is bound to happen.&rsquo; That stayed with me,&rdquo; she recalls. Today, as she leads global community-building initiatives and strategic growth across multiple business verticals, those lessons continue to guide her approach. She believes that discipline, integrity, and purposeful effort create lasting impact. &ldquo;At my workplace today, I still believe hard work done right always finds its way back,&rdquo; says Shilpi.
This Father&rsquo;s Day, she celebrates the values her father instilled in her-values that continue to shape her journey as a leader.
Behind every entrepreneur, innovator, creator, and leader is often a father whose values quietly shaped their journey. Whether through sacrifice, resilience, discipline, integrity, or unwavering support, fathers leave an imprint that extends far beyond childhood and into boardrooms, operating rooms, startups, and social enterprises. This Father's Day, we honour the fathers whose guidance extends far beyond family, shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs, professionals, innovators, and leaders. Their lessons continue to inspire, long after the conversations have ended.

Business leaders, doctors, and founders share heartfelt Father’s Day tributes and life lessons learned from their fathers.

Thank You, Dad: Stories from Leaders, Creators and Changemakers

Other Articles

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Buzz / Article / Thank You, Dad: Stories from Leaders, Creators and Changemakers

Thank You, Dad: Stories from Leaders, Creators and Changemakers

Other Articles

Mid-Day Fast