Pakistani woman, tying rakhi to Modi for 23 years, sends strong message on ‘brotherhood’

Meet Qamar Mohsin Shaikh, the Pakistani sister of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been tying rakhi to him for the last 23 years.

New Delhi, August 7: The relationship between India and Pakistan has reached a low point in the recent times as the latter continues to foment violence along the line of control (LoC) through cross-border terrorism.

Should political trouble between the two neighbouring nations impact people-to-people contact? Definitely not. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani sister, Qamar Mohsin Shaikh, have a special message on "brotherhood" for everyone on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, the pious Hindu festival where sisters tie rakhi (a colourful sacred thread) on the wrist of their brothers and brothers in return vow to protect their sisters.

Shaikh claimed that she has been tying rakhi to Modi for the last 23 years. Yes, the bonding between the two goes back to the times when Modi was a karyakarta (worker) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

"I have been tying rakhi to Narendra bhai for the last 22-23 years. I am excited to do it this time too," Shaikh told ANI.

"When I first tied rakhi to Narendra bhai he was a karyakarta, but with his sheer hard work and vision he has become the PM. This time I thought he (PM) must be busy but two days back he called up, I was very happy to know that. So, I have started my preparation to meet him on Raksha Bandhan," she smiled.

According to a report by India Today, Shaikh came to India from Pakistan after her marriage and has been living here ever since. She recalled how she did not have any relatives around except for her in-laws.

However, she was "lucky" to meet Modi soon after she came to India. Since then this brother-sister duo has been celebrating Raksha Bandhan together for the last 23 years.

"I met him during one of my visits to Delhi with my husband who is a painter. His nature is very nice. He would often meet me, hit me on my back with love and ask 'Kaisi ho behan (How are you, sister?)'. I have been tying him rakhi for the past 23 years," she narrated.

Even elderly women and widows residing in ashrams (special homes) and old age homes of Varanasi and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh have made special rakhis to be tied on the wrist of Modi.

Like every year, this time too, these women will meet Modi and personally tie rakhis on his wrist. Speaking to reporters a woman said, "The PM is our brother Modi. He is doing a great job for the country. We are proud of him. We are making special rakhis for him. All of us are excited to meet him again."

In fact, Varanasi is the parliamentary constituency of Modi from where he won the 2014 Lok Sabha polls with a huge margin.

Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated across the country on Monday. The Hindu religious festival is celebrated by people belonging to all religions as it marks a special bond between brothers and sisters.

OneIndia News