Lucknow :
At a time when Rakshabandhan is being used to drive its propaganda to counter ‘Love Jihad’, many Hindu and Muslim families in Lucknow displayed the real spirit of the festival in which irrespective of religion they vowed to stand by each other through thick and thin.
“Celebrating Rakshabandhan is not about upholding Hindu culture or protect religion; instead, it’s about spreading harmony and peace among all,” said Dhananjay Verma, who despite a hectic schedule makes it a point to be in Lucknow to meet his sister Naghma on Rakshabandhan. “For the past 35 years, there has not been a single Rakshabandhan when I have not met Nagma,” he added with a smile.
Naghma, is equally happy celebrating 35 years of the unique sibling bond. “I have been tying rakhi to Dhananjay Bhaiyya’s wrist when I was not even aware of the importance of this festival. I am truly blessed to have a brother like him,” she said.
Rafia and Ashish who were friends since childhood celebrated the 12th year of their sibling bond. “We both know each other from very early days. He is always there to help me out whenever I need him. This day is very special to me as I spend quality time with my brother who is not related to me by blood but by heart,” said Rafia.
Similar is the bonding between Nancy Kashyap and Rizwan Khan and Anirudh Bajpai and Samreen Zaidi.
City-based historian Yogesh Pravin narrates one of the most beautiful examples of Hindu-Muslim amity of Rani Karnavati of Chittor sending a rakhi to Mughal Emperor Humayun when she was threatened by Bahadur Shah of Mewar. Humayun acted as a responsible brother and abandoned an ongoing military campaign to ride to her rescue.
Muslim brothers taking pledge to protect their Hindu sisters and vice-versa is common in Lucknow known for its Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb.
“In my family, I have grown up seeing the brotherly love of my maternal uncle, poet Krishna Bihari Noor, for Aziz Darab Bano Wafa, also a poet, whom he considered his beloved sister.”
Following in the footsteps of his uncle, Yogesh Pravin, besides getting a rakhi tied by his sister Manju makes it a point that his foster sister Nusrat Nauheed (retired librarian at Amir-ud-daula library) ties the silken thread on his wrist every year without a miss.
Besides, there are also many Muslim families in the city who celebrate Rakshanbandhan with the same fervour as celebrated in Hindu families.
“My entire family celebrates the festival with enthusiasm. I think being Indians we should respect all religions and their festivals. No matter which religion you belong to we should all rejoice in every festival,” said Sumaira Rizvi.
Seconding his sister’s thoughts, Ali Faiz said “I enjoy this festival to its fullest with all my sisters and cousins.”
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / August 11th, 2014