On the auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan, scores of women and girls dressed in their finery, took to the flooded streets and braved the traffic snarls to visit their brothers and tie rakhis on their wrists while receiving gifts in return. The sisters prayed for their brothers’ well-being while the brothers in turn promised to protect them for life. Markets were abuzz with shoppers for a variety of colourful rakhis and sweets. Nine-year-old Shashi, a resident of Mayur Vihar, was on cloud nine after she received several storybooks from her brother, along with a packet of chocolates. She had been preparing for this festival for the past two weeks. “I get lots of gifts every year and this time too I have got storybooks and loads of chocolates,” she said.
Vasant Kunj resident Charu (name changed) got the most special gift of her life from her brother. The siblings were at loggerheads over her relationship with a youth, but today she was pleasantly surprised when her brother gave his approval for her marriage with the youth. “What could have been a better giftIJ My brother has given me the most special gift of my life,” Charu said as tears welled up.
Burari resident Kanak’s brother came all the way from Pune for the occasion. Kanak has made a series of plans for the day which includes having lunch at a hotel, buying clothes and then going for a movie. As for Kusum, her brother, who is in the Army and is posted in Kashmir, sent her a dress. “I had sent him a rakhi via courier two days earlier. We spoke over the phone. I pray for his long life,” she said.