Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of sibling love but in the modern era it is seen by some people as declaration of the brother as the ‘protector’ of the sister thereby permitting the brother to decide what she does or not. Today we have a woman going out to earn for herself. Does the concept of protection hold good in the era of equality of both genders?

Historic origins of Raksha Bandhan

On the banks of Yamuna river 20 kms away from Prayagraj is the Sujavan Dev Temple. It is believed that Yamraj, the God of Death visited his sister Yamuna at this spot. Overwhelmed by her hospitality, he granted her a boon. Any person who bathes in the waters of Yamuna during Bhai Dooj will be granted a place in heaven.

Once while activating his weapon, the Sudarshan Chakra, Krishna accidently cuts himself. Draupadi who happens to be nearby immediately tears off a piece of her clothing and ties up the wound in the form of a bandage. Krishna that day makes a promise that he will repay the gesture, no matter how insignificant it appeared at that time.

In both the instances, the ‘raksha’ part of the bond was never asked for by the woman in the first place. Yamuna is the daughter of the sun God, Surya and she is the wife of Krishna while Draupadi is married to five warriors out of which Arjun was considered to be the greatest warrior of his times. Both these women had nothing to fear and were already under considerable protection.

Interpretation of Raksha Bandhan

Originally a Sanskrit word, Raksha means protection and Bandhan is a bond. This over simplified translation which might result in a misinterpretation. A protective bond automatically brings in the idea of taking care or looking after. It puts a responsibility on the brother(s) to keep a watch on the sister(s) for every perceived danger. This is what some critics are worried about, an old ritual bringing in patriarchal values.

However, Raksha Bandhan can also be interpreted as a bond of love and friendship. A promise to care and listen. It can also be thought of an annual contract of support. A sister praying for prosperity of her brother while the brother promises to take care of her well being.

There are reasons why the humble thread has stood the test of time and evolved to what it signifies today.

Social reforms change the nature of a festival

Almost all the festivals and rituals have changed over a period of time. A tradition is a ritual that has been handed over from generation to generation. A thread on the wrist in general is again an ancient ritual. Priests at the end of a religious ceremony tie the sacred thread on the wrist of the people involved in the puja. This thread is a red and yellow combination and is called the Raksha Sutra. Raksha Bandhan is variation of this puja specifically done between siblings. The puja is the actual ritual where the sister prays for the well being of her brother. Over a period of time the activity of tying of thread gained more prominence than the puja itself. It also changed the interpretation from care and well being to protection.

Who is the superior power

A woman observes a fast for her husband while still asking a brother for his protection. This sounds contradictory. However, once you remove the protector angle, things get much clearer. In our religious texts, women have always been considered as the superior souls. Raksha Bandhan is actually a puja performed by the sister as an eternal blessing for her brother. A renewal of the life long sibling bond forged during the days of innocence.

Going beyond sibling relationship

On 23rd Aug 1953, the first president of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad celebrated Raksha Bandhan with a group of women at Rashtrapati Bhavan, a tradition continued till today. Women tie Rakhi to soldiers sometimes sending them by post to the borders. Raksha Bandhan is celebrated within the community or between office colleagues and neighbors to promote good will. Raksha Bandhan is a big cultural event in schools where students participate in various activities.

The wide acceptance of Rakhi has moved beyond a celebration of sibling love.

A family function

We are in the digital age where increasing screen time is worrying everyone. One of the reason why festivals like Raksha Bandhan are gathering importance is the opportunity they provide for a great family time. Brothers and sisters travel far distance for this one special day, many times along with their own families too. Just like any other ceremony, this one too begin with putting on new clothes to look our most beautiful.

Conclusion

Raksha Bandhan is an example of a refined ritual without any change in the basic character. It is a mark on the calendar which is awaited by both brothers and sisters alike. There might be some matters of interpretation but if we measure up this festival in terms of love and understanding, we realize that this event is celebration of that kind of friendship which grows on you despite the added years and distance.

Manisha Yadav

I am Manisha Yadav, Founder and Ideologue of Narisakti. MBA Student and Digital Marketing expert, I take your brand online and help you reach more customers.

www.sukaone.com

A home maker is always available

We see our mother doing all the household work as soon as her man leaves the house. Sending the man to work and the kids to schools gives her time to focus on work. When the kids are back, they get their food and relaxation. Before the husband is back the house is neat and tidy with food ready. It is now time for her to look after him, back from a hard day’s work.

Despite being aware of the reality, a male dominated society believes that when a woman is at home, she has enough time to finish her work for the day.

Where there is no monetisation, there is no value

Women of Generation Z have grownup with access to social media and technology. This has led them to be more conscious of job prospectus and academic performance. This generation has accepted money as more important than anything else. House hold work for them holds no monetisation value because they have seen maids work for money and they are aware of their wages. Generation Z have succeeded the millennials who are considered to be financially well off due to overall growth in the world economy. This was also the generation who enjoyed living on credit.

Concept of living in the present

For the young women choosing career over everything also means living for today. That is a stark contrast with the concept of working for the future. Following up from the COVID induced lockdown, women are aware of the economic revival that has followed and they want to be a part of it. Whatever job and business opportunities are opening up are been shared equally between men and women.

They are even ready to move out of their home town for jobs if required.

We live in a materialistic world

If money factor is pitted against relations, it is the money which wins. Emotion and relationship needs time as investment. Time being a limited resource, women today are placing priority towards workplace rather than relations. Because from a female point of view, emotional investment is far more valuable and has to be done only when absolutely sure.

Far more women are choosing to have a comfortable materialistic life instead of a time consuming relationship in the confines of a house.

My identity, my life, my world

For the woman, the most important part of her life is her identity. She would do anything for keeping it. Previous generations of women marked their identity with their families and their loved ones within their homes. Women who move out of their house daily to earn money are now getting ready to accept a dual role just like their male counterparts.

Summary

Society has time and again reinforced the idea that a woman sitting at home is not doing anything special. A homemaker is not getting anything in return for her daily chores. Anyone who is thinking purely materialistic point of view will never look at doing this work as a route to gain appreciation in the family. She would rather establish an identity in the world rather than the confines of her family doing household work.

There is a quiet revolution happening in the society. Young women walking out of the house and earning enough money to pay for house help and also for the materialistic needs of her own.

Manisha Yadav

I am Manisha Yadav, Founder and Ideologue of Narisakti. MBA Student and Digital Marketing expert, I take your brand online and help you reach more customers.

www.sukaone.com

Today is the times of paid promotions. So when you see organic likes and meaningful content, it is a like a breath of fresh air.

Q. What is your aim and approach while making a social media post?

Ans. Firstly I make it clear to everyone that I am not a doctor and I am not eligible to give medical advise. Being a nutrition coach, I deal in information. But knowledge does not come easy. It takes time and research. Then comes the part where I have to arrange information in a way that I can present it as a post on social media. Attention span on social media is very very limited. Catching the eye of a person who is surfing with an introduction, putting across a point and tempting the person to watch another post, all that in just under 30 second.

For my YouTube channel which I began in Nov 2022, the strategy is allowing all the relevant details to come in.

Q. Why does your account have so less followers and likes?

Ans. This is a common question which I get asked. It took me long time to convince myself not to focus on engagement. If my content is captivating and informative, it is the job of Instagram to make it reach the right target audience. After all they also are searching my content.

My focus is working on how to convey information. It has to be scientific facts and scientific logic. My reward is not likes and comments en masse but the few who matter. Like for example I get comments and DMs from doctors and that makes my day.

Since I have to put in so much time in research, for growth I have decided slow & steady wins the race.

Q. How to lose weight fast?

Ans. If you are aiming to lose weight, then you are in trouble. Yes, it is possible to lose weight fast and people do it. There are so many diet options today, Mediterranean diet, ketogenic diet, vegan diet, paleo diet, raw foods diet and so on. Each one claims to be superior to all others. But as per my research and belief, any calorie restrict diet is good enough to lose weight. But it has to be backed up with nutrition rich food. I am totally against starving. Most of our modern day health issues including obesity is due to nutrition deficiency which affects all strata of society and across all income groups.

To lose weight you need to have these three Ds within, Desire to lose weight, Drive & Determination to go through the journey and Discipline to stick to the plan. For the remaining part, you can consult me!

https://www.youtube.com/@feedmegoood/

https://www.instagram.com/feedmegoood/

Manisha Yadav

I am Manisha Yadav, Founder and Ideologue of Narisakti. MBA Student and Digital Marketing expert, I take your brand online and help you reach more customers.

www.sukaone.com

Remember, you had a time crunch for shopping last Diwali. Children did not like their gifts.

Festive Shoppee is your answer. A homemaker, a mother, and a businesswoman, Preeti Aggarwal made festival shopping smooth and easy. In conversation with Preeti Agarwal, we discuss her brand – Festive Shoppee.

How did you get the idea for your brand?

I am a homemaker but always felt the need to create my own identity. I pursued two other businesses earlier. I have applied my learnings in Festive Shoppee. Customers have to go to different sources to buy their festive requirements. Also, they are bored of the bulk items available in the markets. We cater to these needs. We also personalize the products if customers ask for them.

What is the distinguishing feature of your brand?

We use premium quality raw materials to create handmade products. None of our designs is the same as available in the market. Festive Shoppee brings one-of-their-kind of products to its customers. Other brands sell handmade items, but their offerings are highly-priced. We market and sell our products through exhibitions and Instagram. The customers have told us that we provide
exceptional quality products at pocket-friendly prices.

Which are your popular products? What do customers love about them?

Our hot-selling product is high-end customised clutch bags. We embroider names and photographs on them. This unique, personalised product creates memories. Customers get a superior quality bag at an economical price.

What is your process of customization?

We can customize any aspect of our product, whether the design or the colour. During the process, we are mindful of the customer’s needs to satisfy them completely. It takes us 10-15 days to customize a product.

How many people are employed with Festive Shoppee?

Right now, it’s a one-woman show except for my daughter, a Fine Arts student. One of the reasons to create hand-crafted products was to use my daughter’s artistic ability. Personalised calligraphy and Mandala art products are some of her best creations.

Can customers soon expect new products from you?

In the coming months, we will launch a range of children’s gift items that customers will enjoy. The first stock of Mickey bags has already sold out.

What message will you give a woman contemplating starting her own business?

I believe – live life with passion. Learn as much as you can. Like, my daughter takes additional classes to upgrade her skills. Make sure you give it all you have got. Everyone should work hard to be self- dependent. With hard work, you will achieve success.

Independent woman ready to make it big, Preeti Aggarwal, shared her customer-friendly brand’s journey. She reminds us that learning and self-standing are essential in life. We wish Festive Shoppee all the best.

Instagram Link – https://www.instagram.com/_festive_shoppee/

Facebook Link – https://www.facebook.com/FestiveShoppee/

Aarti Bhola

A technical writer in the field of life sciences, Aarti Bhola, pursued graduation and post-graduation in Biotechnology and Microbiology respectively. She is passionate about researching and writing informative content about any topic. A feather in her cap was her entrepreneurial venture, Melange Handicrafts, that sold lifestyle and home decor goods online. She continues to explore her artistic side via doodling and hand lettering.

When we were little, my parents used to say before my exams – “if you are not able to learn everything, make sure that whatever you have learnt is a job superbly done”. Faltering on the quantity was frowned upon and it still affects how I tackle my life.

Quality of time

If I keep on procrastinating and avoiding the work at hand, not only have I wasted my time but also delaying the work has made gaps in my mind which will further extend the duration of work. Lack of concentration, daydreaming are the effects of neglecting the quality of time.

But on the other hand, if the work is dedicatedly done with the time frame, you get rewarded with peace and contentment.

Quality of work

In order to prove that you are hardworking, one tends to pile on the work that is in no way possible to finish in time. Because our ego does not allow it to be cool and calm and focus on the fact- What is to be done, it should be done. When we discuss things and when we are not able to take decisions and act on them it hangs on our head like an axe. Always here anytime to fall. Take one task at a time and give your 100% in order to have quality of work.

Quality of food

We tend to overeat our favorite food. We need to stop and decide, what is getting satisfied here? The tummy, that required food or the taste buds that required the flavor? And in all this the entire metabolism goes haywire because of overeating. The food tastes the same if you eat enough or overeat. The quantity will harm you rather than doing any good. Instead concentrate on good food that satisfies your stomach and your taste buds and does not harm the gut.

Quality of life

We have one life and this life has numbered days. How we lead it is in our hands. Quality of life is all that matters. A short life filled with happiness and the joy of spreading love is worth more than a life that cries and lies.

Quality of communication

In conversation with the best friend, the time flies and even if you meet after a long gap the attachment remains the same. The communication channel is meaningful and not filled with a number of hours spent talking without saying anything meaningful. Having a meaningful chat with the kids is far much better than the mindless chatter in the name of having a family time.

We pick walks of life. The quality always trumps the quantity. The true meaning lies in the reward we get for the quality. The decision still lies with us, and the consequences too. The choice always remains with the individual.

Preeti Bhandari

A mother of two, Preeti Bhandari is a colloquial writer. She believes in simple living which reflects in her writings. As the Editor of Narisakti, she intends to use her vast experience to propel this platform to a cult status among entrepreneurial networks.

When not writing she is quilling, both with paper and thoughts.

Like any life form, unless it evolves the artist might die making the same thing over and over again. Re exploration and versatility is the key to survive and thrive.

Ever since I was a kid, I have seen my mother make some beautiful designs with thread and needles and I was hooked. She made designs on dresses for me as well as for herself. It was her hobby but for me she was an artist. Though I never inherited her patience to learn and do something this beautiful. But today those simple designs have taken a modern twist. It is no longer to make handkerchiefs or some small memorabilia. Today like many other art forms, embroidery has evolved and along with that all those artists who have been trying to carve a niche for themselves.

I met Avneet Kaur, a unique artist who found her passion in modern embroidery. This is a beautiful addition in her already full feathered cap of decoupage, mixed media, calligraphy and thread calligraphy. She has absorbed like a sponge from each one of them and has a keen learning spirit. Her will to excel in modern embroidery is a perfect showcase of her versatility. But, how does she manage it?

Versatility does not only include being able to absorb different forms and be able to change but also to have the drive to take action in the direction of growth. Avneet is very driven. She is not only a great learner but wants to make sure that she is able to commercialize her art form. There are many artists who do it for the sake of a hobby but the versatile artist can mold their work according to the need of the hour and demand in the market. They are able to create in such a manner that their finished piece can be sold.

Not every artist needs to have a studio to showcase their work. Given the exposure and cut throat competition it is essential that every artist brings in a uniqueness in their work. Whether it is revival of old forms or twisting it and making it contemporary.

Not letting the art die and keep reinventing yourself is the motto for any modern artist. Avneet is no different. Her versatility is clear in her art forms and she excels in what she does. 

Preeti Bhandari

A mother of two, Preeti Bhandari is a colloquial writer. She believes in simple living which reflects in her writings. As the Editor of Narisakti, she intends to use her vast experience to propel this platform to a cult status among entrepreneurial networks.

When not writing she is quilling, both with paper and thoughts.

Vanya Premwani is a children’s yoga instructor who believes that like any other discipline, yoga can be taught to young minds at a ripe age, especially when their body can adapt!

Yoga with a Twist

Now since the kids do not have much understanding about the benefits of different asanas, they need to be taught in a different manner. It is even difficult to make them sit at one place, let alone teach them yoga poses. What would one do?

In this case yoga is done with props. Things that are easily available at and around your home. Kids like to learn from the play. The yoga flow is designed in such a manner that they do not have to learn the poses but enjoy the process.

Difficult times

During the current situation, it is essential that children are able to spend their energy. Since they are not able to move out of the house, they need to use the excess of enthusiasm. Breathing exercises at the end of these yoga flows can be helpful. Through online classes children can easily learn.

Small Groups

Having a few children in a particular batch helps to keep a track of every child’s progress. Which means individual attention can be given. The groups are made appropriate to the age. Not all age groups can be combined together.

Children these days do not do much for the same. Yoga helps the kids regulate their emotions, and manage the anxiety because of the environment and pressures. It also boosts immunity and helps build a positive self-image.

Vanya has been practicing for quite some time and understanding what her student needs and putting it in the right flow of the yoga, makes it a wonderful idea!

Want to know more, use the chat button below.

Preeti Bhandari

A mother of two, Preeti Bhandari is a colloquial writer. She believes in simple living which reflects in her writings. As the Editor of Narisakti, she intends to use her vast experience to propel this platform to a cult status among entrepreneurial networks.

When not writing she is quilling, both with paper and thoughts.

1. My Voice

We all have our opinion; we like to put it across. I always thought that I am not a good orator, somehow, I am timid and thus I can’t put my thoughts across the table very well. While back in college, a group of friends picked out a habit of writing birthday wishes in the form of a letter. And there the journey began!

We all wrote to each other on birthdays and then when we had a fight or about anything that was bothering us. We wrote it out all on paper. I found my voice this way. Every time the reader’s eyes would go through each word; I could feel their reaction and my heart fluttered. Even now from writing the article, to submitting and getting it published; my heart beats a bit more than usual. It is after all my opinion that I am unleashing.

It is my voice!

2. My Journal

With each piece that I write, I pour my heart out. Even when it is a poem that may not make any sense, it is my way of thinking and it makes complete sense to me. Every article that I write is my feeling poured out in a structural manner. Even when the topic has to be researched, a part of my soul goes into writing it. And yes! I learn a lot from it too.

3. My Passion

I write and therefore I am! This holds true for me in literal sense. Life is a long lesson. We learn many new things and we apply them too. But when a person’s passion becomes the purpose it has a magical feel to it. I pray to God every day that as I grow older, the ability to express and my fingers to type or write should not diminish. I am because I write.

The first thing I want to do when I wake up is to take up my notebook to write something.  And the day seems to go well.

4. My Personal Therapy

I have tried a few therapies and after a while all of them stop working. I can’t seem to stop the chatter in my mind, but when I write, I have a better focus, a better thinking process and a satisfaction of creating something so awesome that I sit back and wonder, if in fact these are my words?

It is one therapy that has worked so well for me. I have become calm, and can concentrate better and even juggle not just the words but also actions. My entire focus is not on what I would get by writing all this, but that my articulated words mean a lot to me and to my readers.

I have tried to think about the reason why I write and what writing mean to me! But the answers I received is not what I perceived. As a child I always thought that being a writer is not a glamorous job but is most definitely a romantic one. To woo the one, you love with just an article! What a dream it was! But I found something more meaningful and therapeutic in this (definitely not glamorous and I am fine with it!).

Writing is not just expression of a few words in correct grammar, it is to know how to put what you feel on paper.

Preeti Bhandari

A mother of two, Preeti Bhandari is a colloquial writer. She believes in simple living which reflects in her writings. As the Editor of Narisakti, she intends to use her vast experience to propel this platform to a cult status among entrepreneurial networks.

When not writing she is quilling, both with paper and thoughts.

What are fixed deposits and mutual funds?

Investments can be fixed or dynamic. A fixed deposit (FD) provides a pre-defined return on the investment within a specific time period, while return from a mutual fund is linked to the fluctuations in the market.

Mutual funds provide better return on investment than fixed deposits in long-term

If you are investing money for a long-time that is more than 5 years then it is better to invest in mutual funds than in FDs. Mutual funds can multiply your savings better than FDs. For example, if money is invested for a period of 10 years and an average yearly return of 7% is assumed in a FD, then an average yearly return of 13% can be expected in a mutual fund.

Money can be withdrawn from mutual funds without loss of interest

In uncertain times, we might have to withdraw money from our investments. When money is withdrawn from a FD before maturity, there is a loss of interest rate. This is not the case with mutual funds. Any amount of money can be withdrawn from mutual funds with only an exit load of 1%.

What are the doubts about mutual funds? Are they true?

A homemaker may question mutual funds as an investment option assuming that her money may be at risk in mutual funds. Truth be told, though mutual funds are market-linked, but expert professionals, at the mutual fund institutes, manage your fund portfolio. Thus, your money is in safe hands.

A homemaker may find investing money in mutual funds difficult presuming that it requires hiring a broker and opening a demat account. The fact is that only a simple mutual fund account is enough for investing money in mutual funds. The account can be easily opened online at any mutual fund institute like bank, UTI, LIC, etc. The process of opening and managing a mutual fund account is less tedious than opening and managing a demat account.

You can independently manage your mutual fund account and do not need a broker. To begin with, it is best to invest in large cap funds that are mutual funds of well-known companies like Colgate, Reliance, Tata Steel, and others.

Conclusion

Though fixed deposit (FD) is a common investment option opted by middle-class households, a mutual fund is better investment for a long-term goal. It is time that homemakers clear their doubts about mutual funds and start investing in them to multiply their savings, and get applauded for fulfilling not only their but their family’s dreams.

What are your thoughts about mutual funds?

Aarti Bhola

A technical writer in the field of life sciences, Aarti Bhola, pursued graduation and post-graduation in Biotechnology and Microbiology respectively. She is passionate about researching and writing informative content about any topic. A feather in her cap was her entrepreneurial venture, Melange Handicrafts, that sold lifestyle and home decor goods online. She continues to explore her artistic side via doodling and hand lettering.

Note – This is a promotional post on Likhavat Academy and its career options. Links to Likhavat Academy website have been tagged with “nofollow”.

About Likhavat Academy

Likhavat Academy got its trademark in 2008 and became a Pvt Ltd company in 2014. More than 10 years back, when Calligraphy was considered as a pass-time activity, Nidhi Gupta brought in recognition for this field by creating structured courses and curriculum both for students as well as teachers. Calligraphy is the art of elegant handwriting. Likhavat Academy has courses covering all forms of calligraphy and typography.

One of the most popular courses of Likhavat Academy is Handwriting Improvement. It is a 10 day course covering one hour each day. A kit is provided to students which contains training material and writing kits. Under the able guidance of a Likhavat Academy certified teacher, students are guaranteed 40% improvement in speed writing and legibility. The 10 hour syllabus is designed to go into the core principles of sitting posture, graphology, pencil & pen holding and finger exercises to bring about a change in the handwriting of your children.

If calligraphy and handwriting improvement is about good writing, graphology takes it one step ahead in the reverse direction. Graphology is the process of understanding a person through handwriting. Once you understand the person, as a graphology expert you can advise changes in handwriting to improve the personality of that person. Handwriting is a direct access to the brain and graphology is the key.

Teachers training program by Likhavat Academy

You can be a homemaker or just graduated or even studying. Teachers Training Program is designed to train and empower women. Training program begins with internship which will check your aptitude and also introduce you to life at Likhavat Academy. 100% placement is guaranteed on successful completion of internship/teachers training program. Likhavat Academy is associated with APJ Group of Schools, Cambridge, Shriram Global and American Excelsior to name a few. Empaneled teachers can either conduct courses on behalf of the academy or conduct courses at their own locations. They also have a franchise program. Narisakti recommends Likhavat Academy as your route to financial independence.

Another advantage of being associated with Likhavat Academy is that all tax related compliance and necessary procedures are carried out as per Govt rules in a manner that should be done in a Pvt Ltd company. So as a teacher, you can focus on teaching and growth while the back end issues are dealt with by the Academy.

Likhavat Academy is now online

Till now Likhavat Academy just had a strong online presence limited to information only. This lockdown period has given them a chance to realign their business model to online teaching mode. As per Nidhi Gupta online teaching mode is here to stay. She said in a telephonic conversation with us, “All teachers at Likhavat Academy presently have their hands full conducting online classes. Even those teachers who used smartphones only for phone calls and the occasional Facebook are now using tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. After the lockdown is lifted, our regular classes will begin, but we shall continue with online teaching as a parallel model. We have upgraded our classroom infrastructure to meet the requirements”.

Women empowerment is a strong theme with Nidhi Gupta and Likhavat Academy.

Personal Websites of Nidhi Gupta and Aastha Kalra

http://nidhi-gupta.com/

https://aasthakalra.in/

http://likhavat.com/

Manisha Yadav

I am Manisha Yadav, Founder and Ideologue of Narisakti. MBA Student and Digital Marketing expert, I take your brand online and help you reach more customers.

www.sukaone.com