Few bonds are as sacred as the one celebrated through a thread tied around a wrist, accompanied by a pledge to stand by each other in moments of necessity. However, as careers and educational pursuits lead individuals to various cities, and at times, even different time zones, physical separation can pose a challenge. My Kolkata brings to you the ways some siblings keep the Rakhi bond alive, despite the distance.
‘We schedule a video call and try to do all the rituals simultaneously’
(Clockwise from top right) Armaan, Aakanksha and Abhinav have been spending rakhi apart since 2018
Aakanksha Agrawal hasn’t spent Rakhi with her brothers since 2018, when her twin moved to Delhi for work, while her elder brother emigrated to the United States for higher education. “As a kid, I would dress up and decorate my room. My brothers would come to my room for the ceremony, and mom would make halwa,” recalled Aakanksha. Over the last five years, Rakhi has evolved into a virtual simulation of their childhood celebrations. “The year 2018 was a very emotional Rakhi because it was the first time we were on separate screens. Last year, all three of us were in separate time zones too. But I’ve always sent them the rakhi online, and our WhatsApp group is abuzz on the day. We schedule a video call and try to do all the rituals simultaneously, where I pretend to tie him the rakhi and put the teeka onto the camera, while he does it himself. It almost feels like the same,” she laughed, adding that every year, Rakhi takes the trio back to their childhood. “It is this one day when we know that despite the distance, we will make it work,” she said.
‘Being in a joint family helps where you have cousins to tie you Rakhi’
Harshita (right) always makes sure to send Virein a rakhi at least a week before the festival
Virein and Harshita Sony have been spending Rakhi apart since Harshita moved to Bangalore for work in 2014. However, Viren admits that being in a joint family helps. “While nothing can replicate the significance of Harshi’s rakhi, I do feel grateful that I still get to celebrate the day with my cousins. Our entire extended family gathers together, and even our dog, Zoey, gets a rakhi. Harshi always sends hers a week in advance, and I send her food on the day. During the ceremony, we sync our timings and she joins us on video call. It used to feel weird in the beginning, but we’re used to it now,” said Viren.
‘It’s a strong bond that transcends distance’
Mahima Maniar has grown up in a similar joint family setup, but finds the separation from her three brothers to be especially painful during Rakhi. “When you are away, the true essence of Raksha Bandhan celebrations can feel diluted for those who have grown up in a close-knit joint family. The playful online banter, virtual rakhi-tying skills and choicest memes that my brothers use to tease me feel like a fragment of what used to be a hearty celebration. But on the sentimental side of things, while we may not celebrate this occasion in-person, we continue to celebrate the strong bond that transcends distance,” she says.
‘We don't need a string to justify our love’
Not having spent Rakhi together in almost two decades, Prashant and Palak choose to celebrate each other every day instead
On the other hand, distance actually brought Palak and Prashant Talwar closer. The duo haven’t celebrated Rakhi together since 19 years, and with Prashant being in London and Palak in Mumbai, the conflicting time zones don’t help. “A cousin sister who lives close to him, has been tying him a rakhi on my behalf for years now. The tradition and ritual around Rakhi has slowly been dying out for us, but it makes us want to celebrate our bond every day instead. I may not have tied a rakhi to my brother in years, but I've never been closer to him than I am today. I know that we don't need a string to justify our love,” Palak signed off.
