Today I am writing not on banking but on a topic which I personally I love – Raksha Bandhan.   Usually I avoid writing on any other topic, except banking,  on this website so that we remain focused.  However,  on rare occasions I do make exception.   I thought of writing on this topic so that my senior colleagues are reminded of their good old days of celebration of Raksha Bandhan and my young colleagues may take a leaf out of this article and again start tradition of bonding in the family.

I am on the verge of becoming senior citizen, and I still remember the days when my elder sister was still unmarried, and we used to celebrate this festival together.   Ever since my sister got married, I without fail have received Rakhi (now for more than 42 years) from her.   For large number of my senior colleagues it may not be news, but  it may be news  for large number of them that ever since then Rakhi has also been accompanied by a sweet letter.    In the initial years,  letter was not a novelity but after 1980s, this has become a bigger occasion as I do not receive any others  letters now a days as the tradition of writing letters, specially in urban areas, is extinct or  is on the verge of extinction.  

Now a days, Rakhis are sent either without any letter or printed costly cards are sent.  

I am sharing a letter received from my sister,  so that my readers  are reminded of their old days when their sisters must have sent letters (I will be happy to hear if some of you too are still receiving such sweet letters).   Though this being a personal letter, yet I take the liberty of sharing the same so that at least some of our readers are motivated for strong family relations.   Young girls can take clue so as to strengthen their family bonds rather than making Rakha Bandhan merely as a routine ritual.

Following is the scanned copy of  a letter received by me this year from my elder sister (who is 65+ years)

[ I am sorry for my readers who do not know Hindi, and am not translating the same as translation is likely to suppress the love and emotions]”

With good wishes to all brothers and sisters on this great Indian festival, and some of you will revive this tradition of writing a letter on the occasion of Rakha Bandhan.