Mohd. S. Jabihul Qamar Jugnu/Delhi

In a country where the buyer and the seller strike an instant bond by addressing each other as Bhaiya and Behanji, the people of India are bound by the bond of love. This is the reason why the stories of love pervade over the handiworks of those bent on dividing people and spewing hatred.

On the occasion of Rakshabandhan, we came across an interesting story of Tanay Kumar and his Rakhi sister Shagufta. Both have maintained and nourished their bond of brother-sister love and also passed it on to their children to carry on for generations to come.

Both Shagufta and Tanay follow different religions and those never came in between them as they picked each other as siblings born to different mothers 11 years ago.

Originally a resident of Kusheshwar place, Darbhanga, Bihar Shagufta ties Rakhi to Tanay Kumar (Jamui, Bihar) every year. She prays for the happiness, peace and long life of her brother. Tanay gives her symbolic gifts as a token of his love.

Shagufta and Tanay’s families are neighbours in Mandoli Saboli near Shahdara in Delhi. Their families too struck an instant bond and have been there to share each others’ happiness and sorrows all these years.

Their relationship is appreciated by neighbours and the families together are the epitome of Indian culture.

Ayan Rabbani and Tanusha Bhasi of the second generation tied the rakhi

Shagufta, who testified her love for her brother by tying a rakhi on the wrist of Tanay every year on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, is a little disappointed this time. As Tanay is in his native place Jamui (Bihar) she is not able to ties the Rakhi to him this year.

Tanay, whom this reporter spoke with, said he has sent his wishes and prayers to his sister Shagufta; trying rakhi is just a physical part, the love between the two has only grown in the new circumstances.

“This year there is no Rakhi on my wrist, but my sister’s prayers and wishes have already reached me for today and always,” Tanay said.

Another twist in this love story comes when Tanay Kumar's daughter Tanusha also ties a rakhi on the wrist of Shagufta's nephew Ayan Rabbani.

This story of love between two generations immortalizes the beauty of this festival and the essence of Indianness and who  knows, it may even be passed on to the future generations.