Festive moments are the most cherished in all homes. Tradition and culture, rituals and custom have all through the ages been systematically designed and prepared with great care and consideration. Society and morals have, weather and time of year have, dates and positions of the stars have, all played an interesting and important role in our beliefs. And I have always observed that a practice or custom or ritual of one religion almost coincides with the practice and ritual of another, at almost the same time of the year ~ the Parsis Saal Mubarak, Ramadan among the Muslims, Teej celebrated in Maharashtra, Shraavan among the Hindu’s ~ different faiths, but similar beliefs, that of an unknown force.

Fascinating !

It is always a joy to have relatives over, especially those that have not been seen for sometime. The house fills up, there is an air of activity all around, little groups form up, discussions laughter and narrations of the past take up time and space, very little Tv is seen and home looks lived in.

Raksha Bandhan is always a very special day for the family with brothers and sisters pouring in their official love and affection to each other. Traditional clothes are worn, there is the ‘arti’ and the ’tilak’ and the special meal and the sweets and then of course that special bond of brotherhood through that one decorated piece of string, now becoming sacred as it adorns the wrists of the male sibling.

My cousin sisters from Punjab and UP from my Mother’s side have sent in their gifts and blessings, Abhishek has his hands full with his sister and cousin sisters, my own sister in law sends her greetings and many that consider me to be their brother come in too. Its a wonderful feel of responsibility and protection that creeps in and suddenly you feel that you are not alone in this world, but surrounded by many that care and love you.

The beauty of the festival is that even though there are cases where genetic connections do not occur, belief and faith and trust create a bond of similar feel between individuals. Girls will consider a member of the opposite sex, close enough and trustworthy enough to make him or her the ‘rakhi brother’ or ‘rakhi sister’. And many a times it is observed that the ‘rakhi brother’ or sister has greater devotion and strength of trust, than the blood related.

But thank God for all these festive creations, for giving us all an opportunity to come together for a common cause that spells peace and love and harmony. This occasion goes beyond religion and belief, it transcends all limits that confine us to one group, one sect, one group. That symbolic thread around the wrist ties us together in perpetuity, throughout life’s journey. Much like this blog and the relationship it has created between all those that have become its FmXt.

So happy raksha bandhan to all our extended family .. may this auspicious day be a day of brotherhood, of love, of protection and of care ~

Amitabh Bachchan