THE THREAD OF LOVE

A festival that comes across each year, around this time is Raksha Bandhan.

The festival where the brothers promise to forever protect and take care of their sisters, and the sisters, thank them for the same. It’s the time where the brother-sister duo is glorified and is an age old tradition.                                                             

This festival is specially marked by the band called “ Rakhi” that the sisters tie around their brother’s wrist, symbolizing some promises and love for one another. However, this Rakhi, lets take a look at things a little differently.

The tradition, when was set in stone, years back, deep rooted the sense of protection the brothers have towards their sisters. However in today’s time, the same has evolved significantly. It is felt today that the festival holds a meaning much greater than what it used to. Today, the festival is all about spreading joy to your siblings.

As human beings mature, the relationships in their life mature with them, and thus we feel, so should such customs and the meaning they hold.                         

During childhood, when all that kids do, is fight at every petty issue the band of Rakhi symbolize the promise of forgiving one another easily and trying to argue less. During the teenage years the band symbolize the gratefulness shared by the two for saving each other from the wrath of the parents. Before the 30s it was a remembrance of the times that the two partied together and had each other’s back when the curfew was broken. And later on it holds the sense of love and togetherness felt by the two, even though they are separated by miles and miles.

However, one thing that would wake up the most isolated corner of our brain is that even though the original meaning of the tradition is extremely beautiful and touching, its interpretation should change. The word “protect” must not be taken literally. In today’s time, the brothers should be able to provide protection to the sisters, by supporting them to live life on their own terms, in their own ways, and reminding them that they have their back.  By not being over protective about them, letting them go and achieve it all. By not questioning their decisions and truly supporting them to lead an independent life.

So this Rakhi, amongst other things that we decide to celebrate and be grateful for, let’s make sure to promise our sisters support, empowerment and most importantly love!!

Written by: Neeti Oberoi