A literary festival with a difference
The mention of literary festivals might raise a yawn or even a groan; they seem to have proliferated to such an extent that Kolkata, as a case in point, has three in the space of a month.
A large number of Muslims in West Bengal’s Siliguri have been selling Rakhi on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, which is to be celebrated all across the country on Thursday.
This is observed at a time when the country is facing turmoil over religious controversies. A number of traders in Siliguri are involved in the business of Rakhi making for decades, as they bring it from Delhi, Lucknow, and Kolkata and then sell it to the local markets.
One of the traders Gulame Muslafa said that they are doing this traditionally and only a hand full of them belong to the community associated with this business.
Advertisement
He said that he feels honoured and does not believe in religious differences.
Meanwhile, the buyer Biswajit Ghosh from Mainaguri said, “For the past many years we have been buying rakhis from them as they are affordable and possess a good quality.”
Raksha Bandhan is one of the most awaited festivals of Hindus in the country. The festival marks the bond of love between the siblings and will be celebrated on August 11.
It is celebrated on the full moon of the Savan month of the Hindu year. The month of Savan is considered an auspicious period among the Hindus and Lord Shiva is worshipped every Monday during this entire time.
The word Raksha means protection, while Bandhan is to tie the knot. It is an ancient Hindu festival that celebrates the love and duty between brothers and their sisters.
Advertisement
