India Q&A: ‘How has the Brother-Sister festival of Raksha Bandan changed in the last one decade?’

Binit Tanna, 47, Corporate Communications and Corporate Promotions, Mumbai: I don’t think it’s changed in essence and feel, but has got more ritzy in celebration. People spend much more with more merchandise. We had a large family get-together, preponed to the earlier Sunday because all the youngies of the family are working; mid-week would have been impossible. So yes, we adjust the constellation of the astronomical calendar. I just got my Rakhi tied from my regal sister today. And I’m always in tears; it’s a huge feel and emotion; the thought and the wish of protecting and protective. Life is but no more than real emotions, Raksha Bandan is tokenism that is deep. (Courtesy Binit Tanna)

Indians celebrated the brother-sister festival of Raksha Bandan on 21 August around the world. On the day of the festival, sisters tie a thread called Rakhi on their brothers’ wrists and brothers offer gifts to the sisters. The festival is a symbolic of the Indian tradition which asks brothers to protect their sisters from any kind of evil and harm. The day is marked by family get-togethers, festivity and kite flying. While Indian brothers and sisters across all age groups celebrated Raksha Bandan, Epoch Times’ India reporters talked to few of them from Pathankot to Bangalore:

‘How has the Brother-Sister festival of Raksha Bandan changed in the last one decade?’

Look for the India Q&A column every week. Epoch Times India reporters interview people around the country to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s India question, “Are you concerned by the repeated intrusion of Indian territory by Chinese soldiers?”