Women in Chennai courier rakhis, chocolates for Raksha Bandhan

CHENNAI: Some buy it off the shelf and courier it, others create their own ‘rakhis' for entire families. But a few resolute sisters have headed out of Chennai just to tie the sacred ‘rakhi' thread on their brothers' wrists and re-inforce the sibling bond on the festival of Raksha Bandhan, that falls on August 24.
On the eve of the festival, many women in the city were busy buying rakhis' and gifts, some even making special items at home.Praveen Kaur Sethi, a 28-year-old who moved to Chennai seven years ago, readied cards and chocolates for her family. "I have no brothers and my extended family is scattered all over India. But we are all very enthusiastic about celebrating the festival," she says.
Praveen's cousins from Jalandhar and Chandigarh call her a week before Raksha Bandhan to remind her about the rakhis' and gifts. "They love my handmade cards and chocolates," she says.
Families with firm roots in Chennai even source particular brands of rakhi' for the occasion. College student Priyanka Lath's family likes their rakhis to be bold and big. "We prefer them to the bare strings that are sold in the market," says the 23-year-old, who lives with her 15-member family in Sowcarpet. Priyanka's aunt gets them for the family from Meerut in UP and also sells them to community members. "Her rakhis are a big hit with the family and the entire Marwari community," she says.
The courier companies are also a happier lot as there is considerable rush during Raksha Bandhan. "The number of consignments to and from Chennai increases. At least 3,500 shipments come daily to Chennai during Raksha Bandhan," says Ravi Kumar, regional manager, Blazaflash courier service. The increase in number of shipments is also because many send gifts like chocolates and clothes, says Shyam Sundar, territory manager, Overnight Express courier service.
This time Savita, who has been couriering rakhis' to her brother for the past three years, has gone to Mumbai to tie the sacred thread in person. "Tying the rakhi and being with my family is much better than mailing the thread with a few gifts. I also get to spend time with my brother after a long time," she says.
devparna.acharya@timesgroup.com