Indian Newslink October 15 2016 Digital Edition

OCTOBER 15, 2016
Diwali 2016 Special
31
It’s Raksha Bandhan in South India
Daughters, Sisters and Wives get special attention on Diwali Day
Staff Reporter
info@indiannewslink.co.nz
South Indians
generally ignore
‘Raksha Bandhan,’ a
predominantly North
Indian festival which
glorifies fraternal relationship.
The ‘Rakhi’ that adorns most
Hindu wrists in many parts of
the country is conspicuous by
its absence in the four Southern
states, although some families,
with the ‘northern influence’
practice the custom.
It should however be
acknowledged that the number
of South Indian families
observing ‘Raksha Bandhan’ is
arguably more today than ever
before.
The absence of Raskha
Bandhan does not mean the
sister-brother bond is absent.
Historic significance
In fact, it is glorified in history,
on the silver screen and in the
modern society as well.
South Indians quantify the
sentiment on a number of
occasions, the most outstanding
of which is Diwali.
There is little anecdotal
evidence for such an expression
of sister-brother love in the
ancient epics and teachings of
Indian sacred books.
A mention of Draupathi (the
wife of the Pandavas) accepting
Lord Krishna as her brother
and the latter’s vow to protect
her at all times is described as a
sacred bond between brothers
and sisters.
It was customary for a brother
to officially invite his sister/s
home (again it was customary
for all sons to live under roof
with their parents) to celebrate
Diwali.
Fraternal visits
Such invitations could be
written, oral or considered
automatic.
A brother would visit his
sister to accompany her home
for the festival along with her
children. The man’s brother-inlaw
would follow later.
It was also considered a
duty of a brother to meet the
travel and other costs of his
sister, brother-in-law and
their children. They would be
expected to remain as guests
for about ten days, receive
gifts which would include new
clothes, jewellery and other
items.
Age does not enter the
equation and passage of time
did not mean erosion of the
system.
Waning habit
But the habit has begun to
wane in India.
With the virtual breakdown of
the Joint Hindu Family Unit, an
increasing number of parents
live alone and therefore unable
to sustain the rising costs of
hosting their daughters to
celebrate Diwali.
In addition, more and more
individuals prefer to celebrate
Diwali among themselves than
with the immediate or extended
family.
All of which may appear to
have changed the practice of
Diwali.
But the spirit of Diwali lives
on.
Greetings are exchanged
over the Internet and in an
era of online services, gifts are
ordered for delivery anywhere
on earth.
Said an Aucklander: “I can see
my sister in the United States of
America and chat with her any
time through the Internet and
order any gift to be delivered at
her doorstep. Seeing people and
talking to them has never been
easier.”
Shubh Diwali
May the joy of Diwali light up your home and bring success,
prosperity and happiness to you. Happy Diwali!
Priyanca Radhakrishnan
Policy & Community
Engagement
Andrew Little MP
Labour Leader
Phil Goff MP
Spokesperson for
Ethnic Communities
Tracy Wang
Policy & Community
Engagement
Contact Phil Goff and Labour’s Ethnic Communities Outreach Team
Phil.Goff@parliament.govt.nz
Ethnic.Communities@labour.org.nz
09 624 6347
503A Mt Albert Road, Three Kings, Auckland
Authorised by Phil Goff, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
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