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'I met my Rakhi brother online'
Readers share their special brother-sister moments in the run-up to Raksha Bandhan. Share yours!
To celebrate the special bond between siblings on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, we invited readers to share special moments they've spent with their brothers/sister. Here are some of the responses we received. Share yours!
This is the story of me, Vickie (Vikas Sharma) and my cousin sister Shelly (Surbhi). We were part of a joint family from Ludhiana, Punjab (a group of 20 members with 10 kids), we were No 7 and 8 among the kids. She was older by just 3 months. Maybe that is the reason why we are so attached to each other.
We did our schooling at a local school and remained together for almost 12 years (1983-1995) all the time -- same class, same section. During our school days, she used to stand first while I was second (because I was not perfect in science and languages). But honestly I was never jealous of her and always felt proud to be a brother of a topper and was quite content with second place.
Though I wish to state that there were 3 such combinations in our family but ours was different and unique because we were the oppposite sex and we both did well in studies. Finally she topped our school in class 10 and I was second by just 1 mark (I was thankful to God that our combination remain intact till the end). She then chose to study science and I chose commerce.
Our ways separated but not the our togetherness because of its strong foundations. Haath choote bhi to rishte nahi toota karte.
Being a part of a joint family, we had seen lots of ups and downs. But with the grace of God, we always kept our relation away from such problems.
We did well in our respective fields; she did her postgraduation in science and education while I become a chartered accountant. All through we were mentally together. We are there whenever we need each other.
She got married in 2006 and moved to Japan with her husband. I wanted to give her a big present on her marriage but could not because of my limited earnings at that time.
She had her first child, Aishna who shared her birthday with my mother. She is in Canada now and expecting her second child. I hope the baby is born on November 4, 2010 (my first marriage anniversary). Inshaa Allah that would be the best gift I can ever get on that day.
On the eve of Raksha Bandhan, I wish to tell her that she is really different from all of my cousins, rather all the human beings I know. She is unique, and different. Phoolon ka, taron ka sab ka kehna hein, ek crodon mein meri behna hein, sari umar humein sang rehna hein. She is the shining star of our family. I love her from the core of my heart.
May God bless us now and forever!
-- Vikas Sharma; Photograph: Vikas Sharma (2nd from left) and Shelley (4th from left) with their spouses
I am the only child of my parents and somehow never felt the need for a sibling. Even on Raksha Bandhan there was no tugging of heartstrings, surprising but true. As a small child also, I would be glad just seeing my mom tie Rakhi to my maternal uncles' wrists and me tying Rakhi on my dad's wrists on behalf of my paternal aunts who sent Rakhi by post.
From playing with toys to working on systems, the journey was uneventful as far as Raksha Bandha was concerned until one day while I was busy working on my system, in the midst of ensuring that people came to office on the festive day as we had 24x7 working, I had my favourite team member come to me and ask, "Will you tie Rakhi to me tomorrow?" I was stunned, shocked and then emotionally stirred. I thought why not.
With lot of self-consciousness, hesitating a bit, scared of being a sister and making someone a part of my family, I reached office, hiding the Rakhi, the roli-moli and a box of sweets. Trying very hard to keep my composure and beaming with pride that I too had the privilege to celebrate this festival, I waited for my Rakhi brother. He came for his shift, the ever-smiling, most caring, jovial, very fair and handsome -- my bro.
He kneeled besides me in my cubicle, I opened the wrapper and applied tilak on his broad forehead, tied a Rakhi and then offered him sweets. He gave me an envelope of shagun and touched my feet. All this happened right on the shop floor, while the scene around was buzzing with lots of activity. We had our special moment right amidst hundreds of people all oblivious to our bond.
It's been few years now, yet the bond has grown stronger. My bro is married, his wife too is part of our special bond. He is now blessed with an angel of a daughter. He moved out of the country and this year I will send a Rakhi and am sure he will see lots of blessings in that strand of love, trust and divinity.
Thanks Chetan for being my Bro.
-- Rachna Raaj
I am from Cochin and I have a younger brother. My marriage took place when my brother was in Class X. Before marriage we used to quarrel a lot for petty reasons. But things have changed. Even though he is not far away we are not able to see each other frequently. He is busy with his studies. I also worry a lot about his career. I always wish that he should pass with flying colours.
Now we both realise how dearly we loved each other. Brother I miss you a lot!
-- Divya
This is the story of me and my muh-bola bhai Kutty. We met on Orkut. In the very few meetings we realised that we are more than friends. Its been 3 years now and we are still great friends cum siblings. It happend that I was in Dubai and we used to chat and then after a year I was not using the internet that often since Orkut was blocked in the UAE and I lost touch with him.
After a year or so I met him online and was so surprised to hear that he too had got a job in Dubai and he was here. We met and had loads of fun. Whenever I used to feel lonely or depressed, he used to make me laugh with his stupid jokes. Now he is sort of a family member. We have common friends including family friends.
I haven't tied him Rakhi all these years so this year for sure without fail, I will celebrate Raksha Bandhan with him. I have already bought a Rakhi for him. (I'm also looking forward to get a big gift from him in return.:))
-- Iram Siddique
The brother-sister relationship is a memorable and incomparable one.
I am from a family of 6 sisters and 3 brothers. I am the last. My name is Haribabu and all my sisters and brothers used to call me Babu.
What comes to my mind when I think of our relationship is that even though it is my sisters who brought me up and even though I am the youngest, they always order me to assist them in all their work.
Even today my sisters think of me as a child. I am 45 years, married with 2 kids. I enjoyed all my sister's marriages and I stay very close to a couple of my sisters' homes in Bangalore.
We all are looking forward to meeting this Raksha Bandhan.
-- C V Haribabu
To celebrate the special bond between brothers and sisters, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, we invite you to tell us the most memorable moments you have had with your sibling(s). Happy, sad, funny, sentimental or just plain crazy, we want to hear them all!
Send your favourite memories to getahead@rediff.co.in with the subject 'My special sister-brother memories' and we'll post the best right here on rediff.com! And while you're at it, send us a pic of you and your siblings too.