Raksha Bandhan

Today is 'Raksha Bandhan', a particularly meaningful Indian festival and one which brings back many happy memories for me.

Of moments that were filled with fun, laughter and companionship as my brother and I grew up in India, of festivals celebrated together with family and friends, of endless quantities of sweets devoured, irrespective of the calories that were supposed to be in them, of fun and of laughter, and of those endless days when we could be up sometimes at the crack of dawn and carry on regardless, sometimes upto almost a whole day later....

So what really is the Raakhee?And what is its importance in today's ever-changing world?

It is basically a 'sacred thread of protection' embellished with the love and affection of a sister for her brother and is usually celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravana in India. This Rakhi, which is usually embodied in a thread, is considered to be even stronger than iron chains, as it binds the most beautiful relationship in an inseparable bond of love and trust.

Yet, if one looks carefully at the other underlying significanace of what Raakhee is all about,there is a fundamental and deeper social significance in this same festival because it underlines the notion that everybody ought to try and live in harmonious co-existence with each other.

Something which is really no different from the true meaning of all festivals, be it Diwali, Christmas, Eid anywhere and everywhere in the world.

And therein lies the true valaue of what we need to communicate to Gen -next'......

N.B-Seen in the pic with me-my brother Dr. Navtej Serna.

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