Navigation

Vashi2Panvel.com: Navi Mumbai: August 6: Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on the 9th of August. The very word "Raksha" denotes protection, and "bandhan" signifies an enduring bind between the brother and sister. The beauty of Raksha Bandhan is the fact that you needn’t be biological brothers and sisters, you can tie a rakhi to anybody who you can regard as your brother. Though originally a Hindu tradition, Raksha Bandhan is now being followed as a symbol of bonding between brothers and sisters of other religions too. Shama Sikander remembered as Pooja of ‘Ye Meri Life Hai’ is a Muslim but has a Rakhi brother.

“Though I have 2 younger brothers, Rizwan and Khalid, we never followed the tradition of Raksha bandhan as we come from a Muslim background. However I do have a Rakhi brother Rajit Kumar who stays in Dubai. I made him my Rakhi brother 2 years back.” Recalling her later days in school, Shama says, “During my childhood days I always wanted a Rakhi brother but on the day of Rakhi all the boys would run away from me, in fact half the boys in my class would remain absent on that day.” She recently appeared in Jodi Kamaal Ki Raksha Bandhan Special, “I had an amazing experience coming on Jodi Kamaal Ki. It was the first time that I tied a Rakhi to my own brother Rizwan.” Talking about receiving gifts for Raksha Bandhan she says, “Ranjit sends me a lot of gifts from Dubai. He sends me everything from clothes to perfume to makeup. I have to only tell him what I want and he sends me whatever I ask.”

Rupali Ganguly (better known as Monisha of Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai) who also appeared in the Rakshabandhan Special episode of Jodi Kamaal Ki says, “The Rakshabandhan episode was fun. It was nice to know that my brother Vijay remembered so many things about me.” Recalling her childhood days Rupali says, “As kids we used to fight a lot. In fact those days, Vijay used to call me a beggar child. He is however very protective about me.” Rakshabandhan is a day very close to her heart, “It is a very important day for me. Generally on a Rakshabandhan day my brother, two of my cousin sisters and myself go out for dinner.” Vijay has given Rupali gifts ranging from a simple pencil, books and Archie gifts. “Now that Vijay is earning I demand gifts from him and he gives me whatever I ask. I give him a list of things and however busy he is he makes it a point to shop for me.”

There are still others who have to be reminded about this special occasion. Milind Soman when quizzed about his plans for this rakshabandhan seemed to be unaware that rakshabandhan was around the corner. On reminding him it is on the 9th of August he said, “I have no plans as yet.” He further added, “It is a Hindu festival and we follow the tradition every year. I have 2 older sisters and one younger and we celebrate this occasion the traditional way. Rakshabandhan gives an opportunity to express your love to them in an otherwise busy world. We all have fun together.” Milind generally gives his sisters money as a token of his love on Rakshabandhan day.

The thread of Rakhi is considered stronger than iron chains as it binds brothers and sisters in an inseparable bond of love and trust. It is not just a tradition but is considered to be one of the most important day of the year for most sisters and brothers who like to cherish this most significant relationship of the universe.

Ansy Austin