Tie me knot!

THIS IS one day that young men love and also dread the most. Yes, they love it when they are at home, literally. But, once on the streets they scoot for dear life. So paranoid they are that many of them prefer staying indoors on this day. And college? Gawd, what's that?

No, it's not the eclipse, but one that could eclipse the matters of heart once and for all. What's it that makes a normal shred of thread look like a venomous snake? Guessed it right, it's the `Raksha Bandhan'!

August 4 is the full moon day of `Sravana masa' as per the Hindu calendar. And it is the day of sisters lovingly tying those glittering rakhis in a variety of designs on their brothers' wrists - threads of varied hues interlaced with silver and even gold strips, zari, pearls, sequins and the like. Of course, it is the affection that stands out notwithstanding the embellishments.

And in these times of virtual reality, even `Rakhi Pournami' has gone online. Virtual rakhis complete with `shagun' (yes, a fistful of rice to be sprinkled on the head and some vermilion for the brothers to dab on their forehead) and `mithai' galore in the vast wilderness of cyberspace.

East or West, `Jaapaan ya Amreeka', the long arm of the Internet bolsters the `Rakhi bandhan'. All one needs to do is log into any of the Indian sites. The whole array of the rakhi paraphernalia, including `diyas', are placed in ornate trays and delivered to any part of the world.

Green, the internet currency from Smartcc.com, and Malamall, the shopping portal, have come together to bring what they call `Pyar ka bandhan' card to the Hyderabadis. The card priced at Rs. 100 is available at 250 retail outlets in the city, including all the branches of Music World. "One can send a rakhi with a box of sweets to your brother or a greeting card with a box of sweets to your sister. Likewise, friendship bands," says P.K. Dhanraj, Branch Manager, Smartcc.com.

"In today's world where everyone has a loved one in different parts of the country, it has become difficult to celebrate the tradition," he says, affirming that the card will be delivered anywhere in the country without any extra cost.

More sites, more options. All this making the die hard romantic wonder, "All world is an illusion. The virtual world too. There is no escape..." From the irrepressible grasp of the `rakhi', that is.

Nevertheless, they can still seek solace and make up for the loss next day as it's celebrated worldwide as Friendship day!

By K.V.S. Madhav

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Section  : Southern States
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