Welcome to our countdown to Father’s Day 2015! In honor of fathers everywhere, we asked readers to nominate the #HottestDads they know, the ones who excel at home as much as they shine at work. Then, we reached out to our nominees to find out more about them. 

Now, it’s your chance: VOTE BELOW to tell us who you think the #HottestDads are!

KAUSHIK TIWARI

The Swaddle: Please introduce us to your family.

My wife, Kalpana is a home maker, and we have two pretty daughters, Samriddhi and Saanvi, aged 4 years 9 months and 1 year 7 months respectively. That’s our small and content family, for now.

TS: How do you feel on being nominated as the hottest dad?

Feel privileged! It feels good that close friends consider me worthy enough as a parent.

TS: What was your best dad moment so far?

Nothing can beat the emotion I felt when I heard my elder daughter Samriddhi’s first cry echo in the hospital. I was out to fetch my mother and was supposed to return at the planned delivery time, but got late by a few minutes and could still recognise her voice in a crowded nursing home upon my return. I knew it was her. The doctor (my elder sister) confirmed later she had to complete the operation in a hurry without me.

TS: If there was one thing you could do or say to prepare your kids for “the world out there” what would it be?

Exposure with constant parental guidance is critical in modern times where the margin is shrinking substantially between Western and Eastern culture and where you cannot control the visibility your child gets. It is also equally important to consider the choices of your kids. At times I feel parents go too far just to “look the part” and end leaving their kids’ choices and wishes crushed completely in their execution of activities that suit their own lifestyle or egos.

RAKESH SHAH

TS: Please introduce us to your family.

My wife, Keshinee, my daughter, Amaris, and my son, Kahaan; plus of course my parents!

TS: How do you feel on being nominated as the hottest dad?

Flattered yet embarrassed

TS: What was your best dad moment so far?

My daughters 1st birthday party- as she said the word ‘Papa’ for the first time!

TS: If there was one thing you could do or say to prepare your kids for “the world out there” what would it be?

Don’t be afraid of failure–either you will win or you will learn.

ANUJ JAIN

TS: Please introduce us to your family.

We call our family ‘ANTS’ (Anuj, Nidhi (Wife), Tiara (daughter, 10) and Saissha (daughter, 7). Like amazing ANTS we believe in being a good team, marching towards our goals with good work ethic in a happy manner. We love travelling, following ancient wellness practices and watching movies. My elder daughter is good at performing arts like Bharatnatyam, Taekwando, and is learning flute at the moment. The younger one wants to become a healer 🙂 is good at gymnastics, yoga and is learning violin.

TS: How do you feel on being nominated as the hottest dad?

Feeling Cool 🙂 Apart from the literal fitment into the concept, I love the definition of Hottest Dad for this campaign. I really feel I am a dad with a different outlook towards how we should prepare kids to be Future Ready … especially I think I am the best friend for my girls, and they know it. I think every man should have at least one daughter experience, as one comes to know about a new you when you are blessed with a daughter.

TS: What was your best dad moment so far?

Sleeping in a hammock on a beach with my daughter sleeping on my chest … Blissful. Total trust and harmony was felt in the moment. This was almost 10 years ago, and it is so vivid an experience for me …. It lives with me.

TS: If there was one thing you could do or say to prepare your kids for “the world out there” what would it be?

Choose from your heart, set your aims high, compete with yourself only, remain happy like a child, and do yoga 🙂

VARUCHHI DUBEY

TS: Please introduce us to your family.

Divya, SuperMom and iron-fisted ruler of our roost; Naisha, pagal concoction (3 parts cartoon : 1 part angel); and me, Varuchhi, juggler extraordinaire (NOT).

TS: How do you feel on being nominated as the hottest dad?

Likeaboss !!! :)))) Frankly speaking, a little bit surprised, a little bit overwhelmed, and a teeny-weeny bit proud.

TS: What was your best dad moment so far?

Naisha was learning how to swim with a swim instructor in our building pool. From a distance, I saw her having a really good time with the instructor, talking animatedly and laughing, etc etc.  I jealously made my way towards them and the excited squeals of joy and the hugs when she saw me in the water were priceless.The cherry on top was when the instructor came to me and said, “You know how to swim?”

I was like “Ummm yes … why ?”

“Your daughter wouldn’t stop talking about you and how you can do everything!!”

It was special because come to think of it I was actually jealous, and then …..

TS: If there was one thing you could do or say to prepare your kids for “the world out there” what would it be?

Create controlled situations simulating the real world and let her work her way around them on her own, and let her know that sometimes, well … shit happens.

GAGAN GUPTA

TS: Please introduce us to your family.

Hi, I’m Gagan Gupta, New Media Editor at BBC TopGear India Magazine. My lovely wife, Sonali Gupta, and a beautiful 6-year-old daughter, Aneira Gupta.

TS: How do you feel on being nominated as the hottest dad?

Very odd, actually. It’s extremely flattering; with my “dad-bod” look, I don’t exactly associate “hot” with myself.

TS: What was your best dad moment so far?

Besides the obvious growth and school-related ones, there was an especially proud moment when Aneira had her first bite of bacon, slowly turned towards me, and with a wide-eyed look said “Yummm.” Also, when she took to playing retro video games on my old consoles. These may not sound very significant, but for me they really mattered.

TS: If there was one thing you could do or say to prepare your kids for “the world out there” what would it be?

As a parent, I’m teaching Aneira to just enjoy what she does. I know it’s dangerous advice for kids, but there’s enough stress and competition that will become a part of their lives whether they like it or not. The idea is to deal with situations with a calm, clear head and have fun while doing it.

RISH OBEROI

TS: Please introduce us to your family.

My wife’s name is Rohini Oberoi, and we have a nine-month-old son, Aahir Oberoi.

TS: How do you feel on being nominated as the hottest dad?

Super cool. Finally, my wife will see awesome I really am.

TS: What was your best dad moment so far?

Aahir’s first word was Papa … He finally put the war to end between my wife and I of who’s the cooler/ most loved / hard working  parent.

TS: If there was one thing you could do or say to prepare your kids for “the world out there” what would it be?

Expect the unexpected… And most importantly, never give up on a dream or passion.

SUDHIR SAILWAL

TS: Please introduce us to your family.

My immediate nuclear family consists of four brats apart from me: my wife, Kuldip, and my three daughters, Ishita (15yrs), Annora (8yrs) and Elysia (8yrs). We are fortunate enough to have guidance and supervision of my parents and father-in-law.

TS: How do you feel on being nominated as the hottest dad?

Didn’t expect to be nominated ever for such a thing! Am touched, and makes me feel so elated.

TS: What was your best dad moment so far?

It was when I drove down at night for 4 hours to reach hospital around 12:30, and saw my daughter smiling in an incubator. What made it special was that there was no one near me and I could rejoice that moment completely. My parents were with my wife who had delivered through Caesarean, and the nurse left after informing and showing me my daughter amongst 8 other kids in different incubators.

TS: If there was one thing you could do or say to prepare your kids for “the world out there” what would it be?

“Be completely yourself.” The world out there will accommodate itself for you.

Now’s your chance: Tell us who you think the #HottestDads of 2015 are! Vote once, vote twice, vote often until 11:59 pm Saturday 20 June. Full interviews with our top three winners will be featured on Father’s Day (21 June).