Raksha Bandhan is an Indian festival that is celebrated with a lot of sentiment and emotion in India and in many other parts of the world. For this reason, rakhi is celebrated in distant Canada too.
Canada has attracted migrants from India for many years now. The sizeable NRI population there has maintained its cultural and traditional identity even while embracing Canadian society and playing an important role in the economy there. Rakhi, along with other Indian festivals are celebrated with the same spirit as they are celebrated back home in India. First generation Indian immigrants have passed on the cultural significance of the festival to second and third generation Indians born there. Though many of them are now Canadian citizens, they celebrate the festival with the same zeal.
A few weeks before Rakhi, sisters living in India send rakhi to Canada to their brothers residing there. As this festival also welcomes members of the extended family, even cousins and other well meaning individuals with brotherly feelings gracefully accept rakhis from their sisters and cousins. The rakhis are usually accompanied by auspicious items like some rice grains, betel nuts, some nuts and dry fruits.
Since the distances involved are large, rakhi packets are usually sent much in advance to avoid the last minute postal rush. For people living in Canada, receiving rakhis from far away India is a very nostalgic affair. People usually follow up with phone calls and rakhi return gifts to express their appreciation and gratitude.
By: Amrith K.A.
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