Communal harmony was on show during the festival of Rakshabandhan on Tuesday in Gujarat, as many Hindu girls tied the sacred sibling thread on Muslims whom they accept as brothers.
By Suresh Soni
Rajkot, Aug.28 : Communal harmony was on show during the festival of Rakshabandhan on Tuesday in Gujarat, as many Hindu girls tied the sacred sibling thread on Muslims whom they accept as brothers.
Iliyas Khan, a Muslim, said: "This is just a thread, but the happiness that a brother and sister get in celebrating this festival is immense and cannot be described."
Rajal Shah, who is the adopted sister of Khan, said: "I have two brothers. I never thought of having just one brother. On every Raksha Bandhan, I tie Rakhis to both of my brothers at Iliyas's home so that he doesn't feel that I cannot tie the rakhi at his place. I bring my brother along with me to his place and then tie Rakhis to both."
Even though the festival is deeply rooted in ancient Indian traditions, the younger generation looks at it more as a time to get together and have fun.
Tradition has it the brother gives his sister either money or gifts.
Rakhi brothers or sisters are those who consider each other as brother and sister due to deep affection shared by them. They consider each other as family.
The festival is being celebrated for centuries and is related with erstwhile Queen Roopmati. Faced with a crisis following a war, Rani Roopmati sent a Rakhi to the Mughal ruler Humayun, seeking protection from the enemy.
King Humayun accepted the sacred thread and honoured her request. Since then, the tradition continues in families across the country.
ANI