Raksha Bandhan – not simply a family festival

By Sanjay Morzaria

The annual Raksha Bandhan festival is fast approaching, falling this year on Sunday (26). On this day, sisters traditionally apply tilak to the forehead of their brothers, tie a sacred thread (Rakhi) around each sibling's wrists and pray for them to enjoy good health and a long life.

The Rakhi, representing love and sublime sentiments, means simply 'bond of protection.' The strong and enduring relationship between siblings is brought into focus on this special day.

At Raksha Bandhan, brothers also echo their sisters promises by offering them gifts and vowing to shelter and protect them in return.

Running a children’s nursery, the festival of Raksha Bandhan is always a wonderful time for me to reflect on the care and love that small children naturally show to each other. Both boys and girls mirror the sibling relationship in the way that they protect and support each other outside of the home environment.

In fact, the tying of a Rakhi is not confined to a brother and sister at Raksha Bandhan, but could also be tied by a wife to her husband or one friend to another. The ritual transcends the boundaries of family, much like the trust that parents place in our nursery when placing their precious children in our care.

We all want to see our children succeed in life; to be respectful, courteous and hard-working. But watching the youngsters at my setting reach out to comfort each other when in times of distress, share resources willingly or include a new child in play, I am reminded that children are innately kind and compassionate. As so often is the case, they have a lot to teach us! These qualities should be mimicked in family life. We should let our children know just how proud we are that they take the time to look after each other. This is the foundation for a harmonious life in an often difficult and dangerous world.

Raksha Bandhan conveys an intrinsic message of universal brotherhood and sisterhood. Passing beyond the bonds shared by blood relatives, the festival reminds us that we should look past the boundaries of our own families to view the entire earth as one family. Its spiritual significance extends to become social significance, reminding us that the nurturing qualities our children naturally display should be cultivated throughout all of our lives.

There is a bond of duty between family members which is acknowledged at Raksha Bandhan. This sense of duty may not exist between non blood-relatives, but we can help to cultivate a sense of responsibility within our children, not only to protect their siblings and family members but to extend this to their peers and the wider world. Prosperity, health and well-being are things we hope for immediate families. Raksha Bandhan reminds us that our children are born with the innate desire to make life good for everyone, not only themselves.

A nursery can be seen as a family, a place where you are cared for in the absence of your relatives. Our nursery certainly feels like a home away from home, where children view the other children they play with, eat with and nap with each day as replacement siblings, to be treated with the kindness, respect and care that would be expected at home.

At this year's Raksha Bandhan festival, my focus will be on protecting not just my family but my community, offering thoughts of peace and prosperity for all.

Sanjay Morzaria is the Manager of Little Darling Childcare, a children’s nursery in Harrow and member of PACEY. Contact him for advice on any childcare related issues. www.LittleDarling.co.uk or 07932 623852.