India – Rakshabandhan (Rakhi) Festival

August 29, 2015

By Padmini Arhant

Greetings and felicitations to citizens observing the important social event – Rakhi.

Rakshabandhan epitomizes family value with focus on brother sister relation not only in family but also in society.

Rakshabandhan is a special occasion with a reminder to brother to safeguard sister’s honor and reciprocation from sister to support and cherish family bonding in male female relationship.

Gender equality allowing male and female in diverse roles in life is natural.  The parental responsibility to be shared between father and mother and siblings caring for each other contributes to unity and happiness.

The festival is also an opportunity to revive rich cultural traditions that are meaningful and positive in maintaining human character that is unfortunately in decline with alarming incidents of rape regardless of age.

Human weakness to lust lacking in self control fostered with judicial outcome favoring rapists and decisions condemning rape victims in itself indicative of social and moral degradation. The social and political circle influence due to own indulgence exacerbates victims’ plight. 

Women as opposite gender is primarily a mother, sister, daughter, granddaughter, niece, aunt and a good friend besides being a wife to a man in life.  

In the  modernization fervor portrayal of women as objects of voyeurism and general perception with sexual connotation provide basis for rape, molestation and sexual assaults against women. Again those involved in such violations have fundamental problems in personal traits reflecting on upbringing and inherent deficiency in adjusting to acceptable norms in society.

Furthermore, the escalation in repeat offense against women emanates from the absence of strict laws punishing the offenders rather than condescendence towards femininity. 

Notwithstanding violence resulting in deaths of those coming forward to rescue women from eve teasers and mobs engaged in sexual harassment.

Society’s progress is evaluated on treatment of all beings with respect and dignity barring any prejudice.  

Unless the milestone in this context is reached, the material achievements are ethereal and unsustainable.

Education, awareness and public debates are necessary to curb misogyny restoring equal status. 

Best Wises on Rakhi to brothers and sisters following the Indian custom.

Peace to all!

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant