I find great joy in raising my son, Ayaansh, says Mayank Agarwal

Cricketer Mayank Agarwal’s eyes dance as he gazes at his six-month-old son, Ayaansh babbling, as the father tuts over the cutie busy grabbing flower petals in their garden. This role, away from the cricket pitch, he says has changed perspectives, given him a lucid clarity about what’s important. “It’s not about teaching the child, it’s more about learning from Ayaansh. He has a way of making me learn from his reactions, to be a child again,” grins the besotted father. On Father’s Day, the cricketer turned doting dada shares his musings:

‘The idea of fatherhood has changed for the better’
From men being the ‘distant father’ to realising that it’s important to connect with their child – fatherhood has changed for the good. The change of thought process where a father is equally responsible to take care, and raise a child, is wonderful. Personally, I find great joy in raising Ayaansh. As parents, my wife Aashita Sood and I have spoken about teaching him about our ethos, culture, principles, ethics, to be happy, pursue dreams, and becoming a good human - those trumps everything.
‘Kids dependency on tech and gadgets is a concern’
My brother and I grew up playing outside, in our make-do tents in the garden. Today, children’s accessibility and dependence on technology and gadgets can be a concern. It’s so easy and convenient to give them screen time. But, is it the right thing to do? Being prudent is harder, it tests your patience. Yet, we must realise that as parents, handing over that gadget to the child, we are making that choice. Tech cannot rule our lives.

“Travelling for work is harder, as I find it difficult to stay away from Ayaansh’
I want to be there for all of Ayaansh’s milestones - first crawl, walk, word, etc. I know it might not always be possible, because of the sport I play. I am just hugely grateful for the support from Aashita, my family and my in-laws, because not once has it ever felt like I am missing out. It was hard enough to stay away from Aashita, now it’s harder now to stay away from both. We started travelling with Ayaansh early on, and he is a trouper, loves it.




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