Celebrating the brother-sister bond (Vox Pop)

Raksha Bandhan is a special occasion to celebrate the bond between siblings—particularly the relationship between brothers and sisters. It’s a day that symbolizes love, protection and commitment, not only among biological siblings but also among those who share a deep, familial connection beyond blood. The festival serves as a beautiful reminder of the strength and importance of these cherished relationships. ApEx tried to find out how people felt about this lovely festival. 

Prasuna Khanal, 23

Rakshya Bandhan, to me, is a thread that holds together every childhood laugh, every tear wiped in silence and every unbroken promise of “I’m always here”. It makes me pause and feel grateful for the people who stand by me, no matter what. In this small ritual, I feel the comfort of home and the kind of love that doesn’t need words. 

I celebrate Rakshya Bandhan with my biological siblings and my cousins, who feel just as close to my heart. For me, it's not just about blood relations but about the love, laughter and shared memories that tie us together. Whether by birth or by bond, the day is about cherishing those who stand by me like my own family. When we were children, it was all about doro and kwati and the excitement of rituals. Now, it’s also a special day to celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters, filled with emotion, memories and heartfelt gestures beyond just tradition.

Ashish Bisunke, 31

It’s a bond of love between siblings, a promise to be there for each other in times of need. In childhood, it’s a day to exchange gifts, but as we grow old, it’s a day to recall our childhood days and treasure our relationship. I personally celebrate it with anyone who has a bond of sisterhood with me. I have received many. It means a lot that someone finds the comfort of a family member/guardian in you. I used to prank my sister with a fake gift (a very small one) to watch her disappointment and expression. Later, the change in expression when she got the actual gift would be a precious one. Over time, the gifts and the way of wishing might have changed as we accept new advancements, but the essence has remained the same.

Nagma Kharel, 35 

For me, it’s a bond and love sharing festival between siblings in which we promise to protect one other for a lifetime.  I celebrate the day with my siblings and cousins. The bond  has always been so special as I have an eight year old cousin brother beside my biological brother and I feel so privileged to have their love and affection. My birthday falls on Raksha Bandhan as per lunar calendar, so every Raksha Bandhan is special for me. My sister and brother are abroad and I miss them during this special time but we make time to wish one another and that feels really special.