By Swati Sharan
Rakhee or Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival at which a sister ties a thread on her brother’s wrist, or on the wrist of someone whom she considers to be like a brother – traditionally someone with whom she has a bond of protection. In return, the brother gives a gift to the sister. This festival that I hold dear is falling on August 29 this year. It is interesting how my Indo-Pak peace affinities tie in with this.
About 12 years ago, when I was living in Bangalore temporarily, one of my cousins whom I consider a brother gifted me a book – a collection of Gulzar’s short stories called ‘Khauf and Other Stories’ — along with a big Cadbury Fruit and Nut chocolate bar for Raakhee. Gulzar’s book contains a fascinating true story that still haunts me – an autobiographical account about uniting with his lost family decades after partition.
From then on, I felt something more should be done with this story in one form or the other. But I had no idea what that could be. Years later, when I got involved with the Indo-Pak ‘Celebrate Days for Peace’ movement, I realised what that could be: I wished Gulzar ji would share an excerpt of that tale with everyone or get some actors to narrate it around Aug 14-15 when we observe prayers for peace. Maybe one day it will happen. Meanwhile, I encourage everyone to just check out the book itself.
Another Indo-Pak peace twist in my Rakhee tales was that of coordinating Rakhees for pairs of Indian and Pakistani brothers and sisters over the last few years, an idea that began on the Aman ki Asha Facebook group. Three years ago, I paired up with two Pakistani brothers for this mark of cross-border peace. We largely communicate through Facebook and take joy in one another’s pictures and status sharings and an take active part in Indo-Pak peace initiatives. Unfortunately, however, the Rakhees I sent them from Canada never reached them in Pakistan. So this year, I decided to try an online Indian website which delivers Rakhees and sweets internationally. I sent both Rakhees to one brother, who would then courier it to the other one.
Gulzar: His story of reuniting with his family, including in ‘Khauf and Other Stories’, needs to be narrated every Aug 14-15.
Well, guess what: it did reach there alright but the website never mentioned that the recipient would be stuck paying a customs bill of Rs 3,040. The present itsself cost less than half that amount – Rs 1,340 including Rs 795 as the courier fee. I was beside myself and complained to the company about what happened. Why didn’t they mention this duty fee in my credit card bill? I felt so cheated.
My Rakhee brother refused my offer to reimburse him for the courier fee, and sent the other Rakhee on to its destination (my other brother has received it already). When I commented that he could have turned the courier away when the delivery arrived, he remarked, “It’s about honouring the Rakhee of a sister sent with so much love and devotion. It would be unthinkable for me to not accept this pure love of a sister.”
My annoyance at the company for not mentioning the customs charges that the recipient was saddled with was made inconsequential by my Rakhee brother’s beautiful sentiment. His words made me realize that even with such mishaps, there had been a beautiful breakthrough.
This Rakhee sending was a bond from soul to soul which comes from above. If all of us are strong from the level up, no physical barriers can ever be. Thank you God for such beautiful relationships. And to all brothers, this Raakhee day, please gift your sisters a prayer for Indo-Pak peace. Happy Raksha Bandhan!
Swati Sharan freelances from Canada. She has published and co-written ‘Hello Gujarat: An English Edition of Gujarati Achievers’. Email: [email protected]
