My Memories of Raksha Bandhan

I will never forget the words spoken by my brother during my wedding speech, “You can compare my sister and I to a pair of scissors, strongly bound in the middle, often deviating in different directions, but god help anyone that would come between us”.

I am so blessed to have my older brother Amul, recently I have relocated to Cheshire and so lucky to be closer to him, sharing more amazing memories and to have my boys grow up under his influence, he treats them as his own. I was talking with the boys yesterday telling them we are going to mamas this weekend, they were so excited jumping around. It felt just like when we were children visiting our mama’s house. My mum said he’s your “hero” isn’t he-in jest, you talk about him lots recently before you would fight so much…. He definitely is…. My brother my hero… my everything (not that I tell him that!!!!).

From my friend’s daughters (the one I tie a Rakhi on), and our best friends daughters, who I know my children will grow old with, they have a very special connection as we have with their parents. I want my boys to value the importance of this special relationship.

One of my friends Anj said to me that her sons don’t have sisters to tie a Rakhi, and she makes both boys tie a Rakhi on each other and make them promise to support, protect each other and have each other’s back, I think this is sweet as Rakhi does represent a bond a strong bond of siblings. My little one Dhiyan loves my Jai Jais books his favourite is the “Rama” book, he often says to his older brother Syon, ”I am ‘wama’ and my ‘broder’ is Laksman, we are two broders, ‘togeder’, two warriors mummy”, as he leaps towards his brother with a flying kick!!!… for a two year old to say that after reading my book, is heart felt, and the reason I continue to write these books. 

Originating from the Sanskrit term ‘रक्षाबन्धनम्, Raksha means ‘protection’ and Bhandan refers to a ‘bond’ – the term simply translates to a ‘bond of protection’. Its only until I have been working on my Jai Jais series I started to explore the meaning and why Rakhi came about, there are actually many stories, myths and legends which tell tales of how Raksha Bhandan started…. Maybe I will write a book on them one day!! The common them is the sacred thread that was tied for protection.

In life I see relationships, speak with family and friends and know people have lost their brother or aren’t as close or on speaking terms. I look forward to this Raksha Bhandan to tie the thread on my brothers who love me for me, and will always be there. Life is short value the relationships and use this time to reach out to loved ones, and tell them how much you love them.