How it Feels Like Being the Sister of an Army Man

The love, care, and affection between brother and sister are immortal. They are born best friends. A relation that starts from birth and continues till life, is the one shared by the siblings. Brother is the wall of protection for his sister, whereas sister plays the role of emotions healer and mental supporter. When a brother is there, a sister always feels protected. I too have a brother and am proud to declare that, he is an army man. You must have read several articles about how it feels to be the son of an army man, the wife of an army man and so on. But, I am sure you must not have heard about the feelings of a sister, whose brother is a defense personal.

My brother is contributing his sincere services to Indian army and I am really proud of that. It really feels great when someone so close to you, is the wall of protection for many. People feel proud of our defense forces and so do I, but what are the things that the family of a defense person faces sticks to them only. Raksha Bandhan is the festival that is eagerly awaited by the sisters all over the country. The day that commemorates the sanity of siblinghood bond, is celebrated with complete pomp and show in India. I like all other sisters also wait for Raksha Bandhan festival desperately. But, my festivity is not like other sisters.

On the festival of Raksha Bandhan, it is a ritual that sister visits brother’s house and tie rakhi as the sign of her love and affection. I have nowhere to go because my brother is serving the nation at that time. Throughout the year, you feel proud because you are the sister of an army man, but that one single day that makes you selfish is, Raksha Bandhan. I too desperately wish to tie rakhi to my bro and celebrate the golden moments together, but it is not possible because before protecting me, he has the responsibility to protect the whole nation. When the trend of online shopping was not as popular as it is at the present time, I used to send rakhi to brother through the post. Sometimes it reaches on time and many times late. The postal delay of rakhi distresses me and more than me it hurts my brother. If my rakhi reaches late, he never tells this to me. He always says that it has reached on time.

I salute to all the army personals who serve the nation before their family. As we sisters eagerly wait for Raksha Bandhan here, so as our brothers eagerly wait for the occasion there too. The one whose rakhi is late, others cover up the situation by tying their rakhi to him. In this way, no brother’s wrist serving the nation is left blank without rakhi on Raksha Bandhan. Yes, at times I feel like my brother should be there by my side so that we can celebrate Raksha Bandhan with full fervor, but the very second thought that comes to my mind is that my nation needs him more than I do. It's being almost ten years that I have not celebrated Rakhi in real with my brother. I send rakhi online and convey my wishes over the phone. This virtual rakhi celebration means a lot to me because my brother is making other’s Raksha Bandhan safe.

The Journey of Rakhi Thread

Raksha Bandhan is the festive celebration of ethics and values. Being high in morals and beliefs the day is celebrated with full enthusiasm and fervor in India. The Hindu festival spreads the message of love, togetherness, trust, respect, care and affection. It actually teaches the true meaning of a relationship. It tells that it really doesn't matter if you are not sharing the same womb, if you have the brotherly feeling to someone then the thread can fulfill your wishes. Tying rakhi thread even to a stranger can bind him in a relation. The ordinary feeble thread can bind a person in a strong relation forever. The beautiful customs for the day celebration is what makes it really very special. The journey of Raksha Bandhan custom and rakhi thread has attained many changes. Keeping alive the heart and soul of the festive celebration beautiful changes are now introduced in it. Let’s see how the simple rakhi thread has now transformed into designer bracelet rakhi.

Mauli: Crafting in rakhi is the gift of modernity, in the earlier time when there were no such craft options then mauli was considered that sacred thread which when tied in brother's hand transforms into the bond of love forever. However the traditional type is still in trend and well known as mauli rakhi in the present context.

Quilted Rakhi: With the change in time, things were also beautified. The same happened with rakhi thread too. The mauli thread which was earlier considered to be the main attraction of festival was replaced with quilted rakhi. With little foam, few attractive beads and motifs the mauli rakhi travelled its way to quilled rakhi.

Resham Dhaga: When the journey of rakhi was just on Resham Dhaga rakhi came into force. The silken thread replaced the red mauli thread. As silk was a costly affair hence the rakhi became the main attraction for elite. So, saying that the journey of resham Dhaga rakhi and quilted rakhi was almost the same, would not be wrong. 

Jeweled Rakhi: Raksha Bandhan is the celebration when everyone speaks out the emotions; the very precious festive celebration has attained the preciousness of jewels. Rakhi is no more a thread now; it has now transformed into a precious accessory that brother tie in his wrist for a longer period of time. Golden rakhi, silver rakhi, pearl rakhi, diamond rakhi, Navratan rakhi are the different forms of jeweled rakhis present today.

Designer Rakhi: Swag or style whatever it is called, is the style of living of present youth. They wish to implement it in everything relevant to their day to day living. Designer rakhi is what sisters pick nowadays for the brother. It is not only in much demand but something to show status too.

Personalized Rakhi: The activism in social media has made a person to go much personalized for his needs and deeds. Personalized rakhi is what sisters adopt to impress brother on the day significantly meant for his long and happy life. Rakhi with brother's name, photo or the first alphabet is in trend. 

Digital Rakhi: Technology has touched this part of celebration as well. Going in a much modern form of everything, digital rakhi is the latest trend. Rakhi with a beautiful motif that describes technology is something sisters pick but definitely, this rakhi is meant for kids in which they have the motifs of their superhero with light and sound effect embedded.

So have you noticed how the beautiful journey of rakhi transformed from a simple mauli thread to a digital rakhi? Well, whatever be the changes and the modifications in rakhi it always carries the same meaning love and affection. And this is the strongest reason why sister being far away from brother still sends her rakhi. Online rakhi is the trendiest way adopted by sisters to wish their brother happy Raksha Bandhan even after sitting at a distance from him.

How to Celebrate Raksha Bandhan in School

Raksha Bandhan is the festival to mark the love and affection in between brother and sister. The festival of siblinghood is celebrated with full fervor in India and also in the countries dotted with the population of Indians and Hindus. This popular Hindu festival carries so much of meaning and significance that people from other cast and creed also have a firm faith on the holy thread of rakhi. It is very well believed that if a girl ties rakhi thread in boys hand then the boy is obliged to protect her from all the odds of her life, and this is how the festival is significantly celebrated in all the parts of India. A child from his very early age is taught about relations and meanings, right from his school, he is educated to respect girls.

The popular festival of Hindus Raksha Bandhan is not celebrated in homes only, but Indian schools do pay homage to this very special relationship bonding. The school is the learning center for a child where he is not only taught about his subject but also ethics and relations. Celebrating Raksha Bandhan in school is a customary action to teach the student about the significance of relations and festivals. Here are few very unique ideas how Raksha Bandhan can be celebrated in schools.

Rakhi Tying Ceremony: A complete ceremony following the ritual of Raksha Bandhan can be celebrated, in order to observe the great significance of the moment. Girls can tie rakhi to boys of the class and in this way both can become aware of their festive responsibility. Calling students on a formal uniform on the day is also a great idea. 

Rakhi Cultural Program: To enjoy the merriment of the day, a rakhi cultural program for students is much necessary. The festival is the celebration of ethics and cultures. Making students realize the significance of the day in its own way is important. Having a cultural program for the day is important. This can include drama act, fancy dress, food competition and things like this.

Rakhi Making Competition: One of the very interesting competitions for the day can be rakhi making competition. This can be held in the interest of both girls and boys. Let the students craft their talent in form of rakhi. Doing so, definitely, they will understand the significance of the day. 

These are the three finest ways in which Raksha Bandhan can be celebrated in schools. The festival of morals and relations needs to be celebrated with great belief and involving students in every part of the festival will make it more important for them. The points that are mentioned above will definitely provide a new dimension to the festive celebration.