By Aadhaya Goyal, Host Sister of Elena De Novellis
“7th August 2017, it was a day filled with excitement as we were about to celebrate the pious bond of brother and sister love Rakshabandhan. It was also the very first Indian festival which Elena didi was celebrating with us. We started the day with pooja of Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha performed in our family during the month of Saavan. It was so heart touching to see Elena didi taking so much interest in all the rituals. It surely gave her an exposure to insight of Indian culture.
(Photo Above: Rakshabandhan with her host family)
We thereafter celebrated Rakshabandhan by tieing Rakhi sent by our relatives. Enjoying Dal Baati in lunch we discussed about the gifts we receive and its core value. My grandmother told her about the history of this festival. Although everyone knows that this auspicious festival has taken its roots on the sacred land of India. Notwithstanding this fact, it is quite evident to the people at large that this esteemed occasion has gained worldwide prominence in the thriving era of globalization. It must be proudly opined that the festival of Raksha Bandhan has served as superlative approach for the propagation of the admirable Indian philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.
While celebrating this festival with Elena didi we realised that today this promising festival has evolved from the status of a family ritual and has gained wider scope as being a tool to promote fraternity and secularism. This can be well perceived from the fact that it is exuberantly celebrated in all religions. Based on the devout notion of protection of the sister by his brother, it has now connected with the idea of universal brotherhood.”