PRISHA PATEL – GRADE IX, ST. KABIR HIGH SCHOOL, NAVRANGPURA, AHMEDBAD
Raksha Bandhan, a cherished Indian festival is believed to start in the Humayun era when a hindu queen named Rani Karanvati sent a rakhi to Humayun along with a letter, seeking his help when Chittargarh was under attack. However, some people believe that it had started way before, in the Dwapar yug, when Lord Krishna had cut his finger while flying a kite and Draupadi tore a piece of cloth from her saree and tied it to his wound to stop the blood. Moved by the selfless act, lord Krishna promised the princess that he would always protect her. Now, it is celebrated with enthusiasm, celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. It involves sisters tying a sacred thread around their brothers’ wrists, known as Rakhi. While the brothers, in return, promise to protect their sisters and give gifts as a token of affection and appreciation. The festival highlights the spirit of unity and care. Rakhi, is a thread that tie two people together to make a bond of love and care, with the promise to look out for one another for the rest of their lives. The festival is not limited to biological brothers and sisters; it extends to anyone who shares a bond of love and protection. A friend can tie rakhi to another friend, a brother to his brother, a sister to another sister. Additionally, rakhi can also be tied between close friends and family members as a symbol of their enduring love and bond. For me ‘Raksha Bandhan’ frequently evokes my fond childhood memories of siblings, memories of the time spent together, their light hearted arguments, and their unwavering love for one another. Regular get-togethers with siblings might be challenging due to busy schedules, distance, work commitments etc..In spite of this, sibling bonds are often resilient. I look forward to the festival and it has an emotional significance in my life. The festival serves as a reminder of how valuable it is to have a sibling to go through life’s highs and lows with.