For the sibling bond that's there and not there...

It’s Rakhi today. The celebration that honours the bond between a brother and a sister; typically, it sees the sister tying a thread on the brother’s wrist and prays for his well-being – very similar to Bhai Phonta or Bhai doonj where again this sibling bond is celebrated by the sister praying for the well-being of the brother. Sweet!

I wonder though! Why do the brothers only need so much of prayers and protection! Must be because the sisters are so damn capable and independent, eh? Don’t get me wrong, I love the festivity but without the stereotypical significance of it. I appreciate where the spirit lies in honouring the bond. But it’s really embarrassing when the sisters only worry about protecting the brothers but not so much for their sisters or the brothers take it for granted that such festivals are an initiative on the sisters’ part, and they are just the celebrities in this bond!

Pic from Google

However, there are always a few people who always flow against the current. Like Tagore reckoned Rakhi is a symbol of brotherhood among people of all religion, caste, and gender. And many organizations and groups follow the similar thread of thought.

Also, things are changing in many families too. I shout out to those people who irrespective of being the man or the woman in this sibling-relationship, celebrates it with equal spirit. I have seen MD, Oindrila and many others (who are not in my social media contact or might not be vocal about it) doing Bon-Phonta or Behen-doonj, celebrating the sisterly bond. I have seen people rejoicing the occasion in the spirit of a get-together where each person is blessed and not just the man in the relationship. It swells my heart and inspires me to no extent.

Whilst everyone today is suddenly very vocal about the position of women in this society given the ongoing rape and murder case turmoil, it’s time to take a note of the fine fabric of the society too, take a look inside and ask our individual self what I do to celebrate the next woman in any relationship.