Class VI conducted a special assembly on 24th August 18 to celebrate Raksha bandhan and to reflect upon the timeless relationship between brothers and sisters.
Yamini and Diya started the proceedings of the assembly, by sharing the significance of the festival and how the eternal bond between a brother and sister is celebrated in India. This set the tone for the celebrations of this special day.
The children shared the historical context about the Hindu queen, Karnavati sending a rakhi to Mughal emperor Humayun asking for his help against the invaders. This story inspired the festival where a thread ties together a brother and sister in a lifelong bond of affection and care. The sister prays for her brothers well-being, and the brother vows to protect her. At our School, we believe that the bond binds the two equally. Both pledge to love and care for each other.
[gallery link="none" ids="16690,16691,16692"]Some of the students did a role-play and showcased this beautiful bond of care and friendship between a brother and sister where unlike the historic tradition, the brother tied a rakhi on his sisters wrist. The brother cherished the times when his sister had been a true saviour for him and said he deeply valued the fact that it was a bond of parity where the girls, equally undertook to protect their brothers as the boys undertook to protect the girls. Both brother and sister tied rakhis on each others wrists to establish their relationship as equals.
Dhairya spoke about Tagore's vision of celebrating Raksha Bandhan which was totally different. According to him Rakhi is not only a festival of siblings but it's a celebration of mankind and of humanity. He promoted the concept of unity and harmony among all members of society. He believed that it is the responsibility of all the members of society to help and protect each other and encourage a harmonious social life. For him Raksha bandhan is the celebration of fellow feeling and concern. He used the platform of Raksha Bandhan to spread the feeling of brotherhood. It was his vision to spread the nationalist spirit among people from different ethnic groups.
Gurudev Tagores literary works have always transcended race, gender, religion and geographical boundaries. In his works and his beliefs he has always felt that it is important to have freedom of mind irrespective of race, religion and culture. According to him if we can think beyond our religion and caste, then alone can we become true citizens. To spread this message of love, he thought Raksha Bandhan to be the most appropriate way to spread this message.
So if we look in to the actual significance of this festival in today's world, which is full of crisis and strife, these kinds of rituals hold the key to peaceful existence.
The above was followed by a poem Aaya rakhi ka tyohar. recited by Yamini and Dhairya. The assembly concluded with the entire class singing the popular song Phoolon ka taaron ka
The event concluded with an interaction by Ms. Susan Thomas who spoke to reiterate the lifelong and precious bond between siblings. She also spoke of gender equality and the need for brothers to, equally tie rakhis on the wrists of their sisters in a new world, where neither is less than the other. Especially in today's context Tagore's vision is very much applicable as it teaches us to think and care for others.
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