Soccer Gods shine in rakhis, markets heat up with festive fever

New Delhi, Aug 6 (UNI) On a Shravan Purnima day, a few centuries ago, when Maharani Karnawati of Chittor, sent a "rakhi" to Mughal Emperor Humayun, she could never have comprehended that her action and the king's gesture thereafter would become the symbol of a brother fiercely protecting his sister not just from a sense of duty but also out of love and affection.

Centuries later, the bond remains unchanged. In an age where the fundamental rights of a man are threatened, the right to love his sister, laugh and share secrets, play and conspire, tease, bully and scold, then hug and kiss and make up, remains.

Raksha Bandhan, an occassion to celebrate this relationship is around the corner. Come August 9 and men would be seen sporting fancy rakhis on their wrist. Sisters are already going on a shopping spree and spending so much of their precious time selecting that shiny string with beads in the centre for their brothers.

Markets in Delhi are busy catering to the demand. For the children, a variety of rakhis made of fur or with cartoon or fictional heroes are available. The "Krrish" mask in black and caricatures of child wizard Harry Potter are among the hot favourites.

For football crazy brothers, Rakhis with miniature pictures of World cup stars like Zidane, Beckham, Ronaldinho and the like are sure to score a goal.

Elders too have a choice. Apart from the traditional zardosi rakhis, silver and gold rakhis, bhaiya-bhabi rakhis, rakhis studded with pictures of Gods, letters 'Om', 'Shree', and 'Shubh', shops in Khan Market and Lajpat nagar offer you rakhis with Feng-Shui touch.

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