The Name's Bond. Raksha Bond-han

 

It’s that time of the year in the native when ladies, under the guise of a festival called “Raksha Bandhan” (Securing Security), extract protection money from their brothers. Yes, Yes, I know it should be the other way round – the sisters paying the bros for their protection – but I suppose the ladies didn’t get the memo from Il Consigliere! Or they ignored it – sisters can identify a good deal when it lands on their laps.

There are many stories and tales about the origin of this festival, and most natives know most of them, so we shall not get into that. Robustly cultural, the festival takes on different hues and different emotions for all of us. To the extent of pushing the boundaries of siblinghood to “Orally Anointed Brother / Sister” who are not biologically related but are emotionally tied in a bond that transcends ages. There was also that theory, propagated in textbooks across schools in the native, that “all Indians are my brothers and sisters”, thereby questioning the sanctity of another relational matrix. Thankfully, it was ignored. This festival is also useful for converting amorous males into deflated siblings – the orally anointed variety.

I have a number of sisters across the Family Line. Most are elder to me, save one, who is not only the youngest, but is also the Brat of the family. From an era when brats were (and are) much loved siblings. Growing up with this band of sisters was an incredible experience. Not only were they a window to a world of possibilities, but they were also a shield from that self-same world when it became a bit too heavy for one’s frail shoulders.

One lamented the fact that these sisters went into a new world and relationships after marriage, but thankfully the gents who took away our sisters were kind-hearted enough to allow the bonds to continue and prosper. Of course, knowing our sisters, the gents didn’t have much of a choice. “Fait accompli” is a phrase coined expressly for sisters. And yes, the gents also had their sisters, who went into their own new worlds, and so the chain went on.

Over the years we bros have seen our sisters building bonds, creating families, taking on the multiple roles that are the lot of women everywhere. We have seen them managing joy, grief, stubbed toes, toilet training, illnesses, graduations, and myriad other peaks and troughs in their timelines. Always with a smile, sometimes with a frown and rarely with a glare. Incidentally, a sister’s glare is a red alert – something bad is usually afoot for the bro who has received the glare. The best solution for him would be to go off to the jungle and hide.

To my sisters, and to sisters everywhere, the bond shall neither be shaken nor stirred. The thread you tie stays firmly tied. And to the ladies who left their bros and came into our family, you only strengthen the ties.