This Father’s Day Leaders Celebrating What They Learned From Their Fathers

1. Siddhant Aggarwal, Director of Operations, KAZO
Siddhant Aggarwal, Director of Operations, KAZO is immensely grateful for the invaluable lessons bestowed upon him by his father. He goes on and says "From very early days, he instilled in me the value of knowledge and the power of learning. His unwavering passion for personal growth and insatiable curiosity have left an indelible mark on my character. Witnessing his relentless pursuit of success, as he fearlessly embraces new challenges and expands his horizons, has taught me that the possibilities for achievement are boundless with an open mind and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Since the day I joined the company, he has been my mentor, my biggest supporter, and a friend. Thank you for being the extraordinary man you are, Dad. Happy Father's Day!”. Siddhant Aggarwal is the Director of Operations at KAZO and his goal is to expand KAZO’s reach both domestically and internationally through strategic goals and strong global partnerships.

2. Baruni Verma, Founder of Starkle 
Fathers hold a very special position in everyone's life and for Baruni Verma, Founder of Starkle her Father has been her guiding source. She says "From my father, Mr. Anil Verma, I have learned invaluable lessons about running a successful enterprise. I have witnessed his unwavering dedication and relentless work ethic in his business, from weathering through snowstorms to facing the daunting task of establishing himself in unfamiliar countries while living alone. His ability to overcome obstacles and thrive in unfamiliar territories has instilled in me a deep sense of resilience and adaptability. As I operate my own venture, Starkle, he often reminds me that success often lies beyond our comfort zones and that hard work, coupled with the willingness to embrace change, can lead to remarkable achievements.” Starkle is a fine jewellery brand that has been created to bring a minimalistic aesthetic to the jewellery industry by Baruni Verma in 2019.

3. Shraddha Malpani Soparkar, Founder Trustee Madhuram Charitable Trust
Shradhha Malpani Soparkar celebrates her father and shares “ I have learned from my father is to give with an open heart. I have seen thousands of people come to my father for help. Many of the people have even not been honest with him. However, he never fails to give. My father always says that if we are earning, it's our duty to help the people, to help society. Another very important thing that I have learned from my father is honesty. So when it comes to being honest, my father is 100% honest with himself, and with his employees.”

Shraddha Soparkar is an entrepreneur and the Founder Trustee of Madhuram Charitable Trust, which is working to create a positive impact in the lives of the marginalized, specially-gifted, and physically challenged persons.

4. Haresh Kathrotiya - Managing Director at GM Tea Packers Pvt. Ltd. (Tulsi Tea)
Haresh Kathrotiya believes in honouring the wisdom of fathers as he goes on and shares how his father inspired him “My father, Mr. Gordhan Bhai Mavji Bhai Kathrotiya, worked tirelessly in our Provision Store, inspiring me to forge a different path. From age 10, he mentored me, instilling customer-centric values with ethical principles. Together, we identified the right business, planning our future. His unwavering support shaped Tulsi Tea's DNA. Celebrating Father's Day, I recognise the profound impact of paternal guidance. Let's honour the wisdom and dedication of fathers.”

Haresh Kathrotiya, the Managing Director of G.M. Tea Packers Pvt. Ltd. (Tulsi Tea) He holds a deep and profound experience in the tea industry, where he has proved his mettle in the field by bringing changes into the approach towards the industry and its practices.

5. Rajiv Baid, Managing Director of Chai Chun
Baid pays tribute to his late father “Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, my late father has been my unwavering inspiration and guiding light. He not only instilled in me a strong work ethic but also ignited a passion for what I do. His relentless pursuit of excellence and unwavering dedication to his own passions left an indelible mark on my entrepreneurial spirit. He taught me the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone, embracing uncertainty, and taking calculated risks.”

Rajeev Baid is a prominent figure in the tea industry, serving as the Managing Director of Chai Chun, Okayti Tea Estate, and Evergreen Tea Group. With a deep passion for tea, Rajeev has dedicated himself to revolutionizing the tea experience in India.

6. Dr Sandeep Vasant, Registrar, Navrachana University, Vadodara, Gujarat
Dr. Sandeep Vasant talks about how fathers are embodiment of unconditional love "On this Father's Day 2023, I reflect on the invaluable lessons my father has taught me, extending beyond personal growth. Through his actions, he has shown me the significance of family and social values, reinforcing the bonds that tie us together.Today, I honor my father, my mentor, my hero, and the embodiment of unconditional love.”

Professor Sandeep Vasant holds a PhD in Computer Science and has over 20+ years of experience in teaching, research, academic and general administration in higher education. Prior to joining NUV, he was the Registrar at Anant National University, Ahmedabad, and was instrumental in setting up systems, processes and policies of the University for effective and solution-oriented administration.

7. Divya Aggarwal, Founder & Designer of Label 'Divya Aggarwal’ 
Divya Aggarwal's Father has always trusted her abilities and has empowered her to take risks, experiment with new ideas, and ultimately establish her own distinctive label.  She went on and said “My father's influence has shaped my journey in the fashion world and provided me with a solid foundation to build upon. My father has inspired me by understanding my vision. He recognized my passion for fashion from an early age and wholeheartedly supported my dreams. He understood the importance of allowing me to express my individuality and creativity. I am eternally grateful for the boundless love, unwavering guidance, and priceless wisdom he has given me. Happy Father's Day to the greatest source of inspiration in my life.”

Divya Aggarwal is the founder & designer of her namesake luxury couture label ‘Divya Aggarwal’

8. Sudiksha & Riddhi Jain, Founders of NeceSera
For Sudiksha & Riddhi Jain, Founders of NeceSera, their Father will always be an unwavering source of inspiration. They added "He is a long-term visionary and an institution in himself! He encourages us to look at the bigger picture and the impact of our actions. His mantra of learning by doing has been instilled in us and has moulded the way we see the world. Seeing him put in long hours to pave his path to success has taught us several lessons that we continue to follow. His advice and words to be sticklers of quality, stay dynamic, become the masters of our trade and never substitute hard work, have constantly been with us when building NeceSera. All we can say to him this Father’s Day is this—you are therefore we are, and therefore NeceSera is!"

Sudiksha & Riddhi Jain are Founders of NeceSera which is a thoughtfully designed loungewear label and a pioneer in fabric innovation.

9. Gaurav Palrecha, Founder of daily staple
Fathers are source and energy that lights up the faces of children. For Gaurav Palrecha, Founder of daily staple, his dad is an incredible inspiration in his work. He adds "My dad is a one-man army, handling and growing our business alone. I've seen him endure crazy situations, like traveling ticketless and ending up near the train washroom on long rides. He's like a super detective, noticing every tiny thing others miss. Let me tell you about his special strategy, "good cop, bad cop." He's a master negotiator with a split personality! He knows when to be tough and when to be understanding, winning people over. It's like watching a superhero movie! Above all, my dad taught me the value of hard work and respect for money. He's the CEO of frugality!"

It was during the COVID-19 lockdown that Gaurav ideated his healthy foods brand "Daily Staple", selling premixes such as dosa, chilla, gluten-free flours.

10. Harsh Chhatrapati, CEO of Galgal
Fathers are inspiration who encourage children to accept more challenges and be successful. Harsh Chhatrapati, CEO of Galgal is filled with deep gratitude for the impact his father has had in shaping his life. He says "My father’s unwavering discipline, commitment, exceptional relationship-building skill, and nurturing nature have shaped the person I am. I admire how far he has come from his humble beginnings, and yet maintains grounded and humility. From instilling in me the importance of structure, setting goals, and working diligently to achieve them, to unwavering dedication to his responsibilities and showing me the significance of staying true to commitments, my father’s influence is invaluable. Lastly, and most importantly, his remarkable sense of humour has been a guiding light through trying circumstances, reminding me to find joy and laughter, even in the fae of challenges."

Harsh Chhatrapati is the Founder & CEO of Galgal, a new-age money management app that helps users create a healthy relationship with their money.

11. Ishita Sawant, Founder of Meolaa
Ishita Sawant, Founder of Meolaa feels blessed for all the guidance her father has given her in life. Ishita added "At 21, I made the courageous decision to become an entrepreneur, foregoing traditional higher education, while he joked about me ending up less educated than him, the humor was his way of conveying acceptance and support. My father's unwavering support and belief in me have been my guiding light. Today, I honor him and all the fathers who inspire their children to chase their dreams fearlessly."

22 years old, Ishita Sawant founded Meolaa in 2022, a company that aims to define the future of shopping by curating products that resonate with the values of next-generation shoppers — Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Y consumers — who are more likely to buy sustainable, high-quality products.