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Erin: Welcome to T2A for April 9th as we mark the 10th anniversary of Siblings Day with the founder of an organization seeking to establish a U.S. national day to honor brothers and sisters. Siblings Day follows the spirit and tradition of Mother's and Father's Days. Siblings activist Claudia Evart joins T2A to discuss her group’s ten-year effort. VOA producer Subhash Vohra is with us to talk about Rakhi, a northern India tradition somewhat similar to but much older than Siblings Day.
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A C Rathinavel, P.Madan Mohan, India (email): What led to Siblings Day?
Claudia: I founded Siblings Day in honor and as a tribute to my only siblings, my older brother, Alan and my older sister, Lisette. They both died early in their lives. I chose my later sister, Lisette’s birthday, April 10th as Siblings Day. Like some of you, my siblings died in accidental deaths, 14 years apart; my sister in a car accident at age 19 and my brother in an accidental fall in his home at age 36. I was inspired and turned a tragedy into my lifelong mission to enhance the bond of the sibling relationship by creating a National Siblings Day.
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Wondwossen, Ethiopia, K.Gopi, India (email): How do families with multiple groups of siblings mark Siblings Day?
Claudia: On Siblings Day you can send a card or gift or make a dinner invitation to your siblings on April 10th as done on Mother’s and Father’s Day. However, this day does not necessarily have to be attached to a monetary gift. Individuals can do something special like a good deed or favor, errand or chore for their brother or sister. Or just spending quality time together, as is done on Mother's and Father's Day. Siblings share our earliest experiences in life with a bonding that grows stronger into adulthood and throughout our golden years. Because of the blood relationship, we look alike and enjoy feelings of closeness which may never be surpassed in any other relationship.
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Dr (Col) V K Wadia, India (email): What is the impact of sibling rivalry on Siblings Day?
Claudia: There are many definitions to this word rivalry. It can be a good thing like competition, opposition, and challenge. It is all part of growing up. Brothers and sisters could be our mentors, role models and best friends. Siblings Day can be a day to try to improve relations and if not for siblings to appreciate, honor and celebrate and since I lost my only two siblings I came up with the idea about five years ago, that if you lose a sibling you can memorialize on this day those who are no longer with us. The word rivalry can also mean hostility, hate, antagonism and bad feeling. If you don't get along, try and propose a day of truce. You can reach out and reconnect. Bring more peace and love into your lives before it is too late. And remember Mother's Day and Father's Day are not for everyone. You make the choice if Siblings Day is the day for you and your siblings.
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Erin: What is your fondest memory of your siblings…do you remember the last words spoken?
Claudia: There were no last words spoken. My two siblings died suddenly in unexpected accidents, my sister in an auto accident at age 19 and 14 years later, my brother died in an accidental fall in his home at age 36. I remember the good times which included horse back riding, ice fishing, a trip to Mexico, camping throughout the U.S., hiking, sleigh riding, ice skating, skiing, gardening -- we grew New Jersey tomatoes and sold them to our neighbors and we looked forward to spending our summers in our country home in southern New Jersey. We also loved swimming, diving, biking, celebrating our birthday parties together. I also remember all three of us attending camp together for a few summers. That was also a lot of fun. What I miss the most is celebrating our birthdays together and participating in many fun sports and outdoor activities.
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Erin: Why is Congressional action essential to mark Siblings Day – are there other ways to establish this custom?
Claudia: To create this day we want a Presidential Proclamation from President Bush. Previously, it was an act of Congress to proclaim a commemorative day and now for that last 12 years it is solely in the hands of the President. We are awaiting a Senate Resolution for Siblings Day and Senate Edward Kennedy has graciously agreed to take the lead in the challenge of this worthwhile endeavor. My Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) has repeatedly called for congressional recognition of Siblings Day with her Extension of Congressional Remarks printed in the Congressional Records in 1997, 2001, 2005 and again this year to the House on March 6, 2008. In addition, Congresswoman Maloney has graciously agreed to send another letter of support to President Bush urging him to issue a Presidential Proclamation as she did in 2002. She also did that in 1997 to President Clinton during his administration.
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Erin: How is your foundation supported?
Claudia: Our organization operates solely on tax deductible donations from interested individuals and organizations. All monies are used to achieve our initial objective to celebrate this annual observance here in the United States and worldwide in the future. You can learn more at our website: www.siblingsday.org
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Erin: What if a person does not have a sibling?
Claudia: Of course, some of you are wondering what to do if you are part of the 5 % who do not have a sibling or are an only child or if lost siblings like me there is an alternative and you will hear all about it right now from Subhash Vohra. He will talk to you all about Rakhi a wonderful ancient Siblings Day practiced in Northern and NW India for centuries.
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Erin: What is Rakhi's connection to Siblings Day?
Subhash: Rakhi symbolizes the natural bond of love and affection between brothers and a sisters by means of a sacred piece of thread that sisters tie on the wrist of brothers. Although brothers and sisters always share the bond of love between them, Rakhi-day is a dedicated opportunity to express love, affection, trust and promises and get blessings.
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Erin: How is Rakhi celebrated?
Subhash: On the day of Rakhi festival, sisters tie the sacred thread of Rakhi on the wrist of the brothers. It is a decorative silk thread. Sisters pray for their brothers’ well-being and happiness, wishing them luck and protection from all ills and evils. Sisters bring sweets and / or gifts for their brothers.
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Erin: And what do brothers do in return?
Subhash: Brothers reciprocate and give sisters gifts or cash money. Importantly, they reiterate their vow to protect and care for their sisters. “Rakhi” is also known as ‘Rakshabandhan,’ a Sanskrit word. ‘Raksha’ means protection and ‘Bandhan’ means ‘knot’. So it is knot of protection.
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Erin: When is Rakhi celebrated?
Subhash: According to the Hindu calendar it is on the full moon of the month of Shravan i.e approximately sometime in August. This year it is on August 16, and next year on August 5, 2009.
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Erin: Are all family members part of the celebrations?
Subhash: Yes. Though Rakhi festival has special importance for brothers and sisters, the entire family celebrates the festival.
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Erin: What happens if there are only daughters or only sons in a family?
Subhash: A girl can tie Rakhi on the wrist of a male-cousin, or a boy can get Rakhi tied by a cousin sister or even sister of a close friend. But times are changing. I have two daughters, Mona and Lisa. Mona says I can protect my younger sister, and vice versa, we don’t need to look for a brother. So, who knows? Tradition might take different shape with the changing times and women’s empowerment.
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Erin: How old is Rakhi?
Subhash: The origin of the festival is attributed to many mythological and historical incidents. There is mention of this festival in the Hindu epic Mahabharta of Lord Krishna’s time, about 5,000 years ago. Since the ancient time, the Rakhi has been a symbol of protection by powerful ones of the weaker ones. Originally, the festival was not limited to the brother-sister relationship. Women used to tie Rakhi to anyone going on an important mission. They would tie Rakhi on the wrists of kings and warriors leaving for war, wishing them success and praying for them. Over time, the methods of celebrating Rakhi festival have changed. Now, mainly sisters tie Rakhi on the wrist of brothers. But even today people send Rakhis to soldiers, the Prime-Minister and the President. In history, there have been many episodes where distressed women sent out 'Rakhis' to their brothers asking for their help and the brothers always came to the rescue of their beloved sisters. Women in distress even used to send Rakhi to non-family members they considered to be like a brother, and the women received the help they sought.
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Erin: Give prominent examples of Rakhi in Indian history…
Subhash: There are several examples. One was in the 15th century. A Muslim King named Bahadurshah was going to attack a Hindu kingdom Chittore, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Defeat was imminent. The Hindu Queen Karamavati sent a message to the Mogul King Himayun, another Muslim, and sent him Rakhi asking the King to help a sister. The King set out to perform his sacred brotherly duty. But unfortunately his forces were too late. By that time Chittor had fallen. Queen Karamavati and other women in the palace immolated themselves in the Rajput custom of Jauhar, rather than fall into the hands of the invaders. Another very important episode goes back to 326 B.C. at the time when Alexander invaded India. One of India’s brave kings Porus confronted him. Alexander feared him and was worried about the King’s success. At that time, Alexander’s wife learned of Rakhi and approached Porus with a sacred thread. She asked the King to spare her husband’s life if he were defeated. The King accepted the bond of protection and love, although it was Porus who was defeated and Alexander treated him respectfully.
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Erin: Is Rakhi celebrated only by Hindus?
Subhash: Primarily by Hindus and by Sikhs, too. But Raksha Bandhan is one festival that is observed by Hindus and non-Hindus alike. During the independence struggle, several leaders gave a call to tie a Rakhi amongst all Hindus and Muslims in order to maintain peace and harmony and spread the nationalist spirit among people from different ethnic backgrounds.
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Erin: What else is important to know about Rakhi?
Subhash: There are two Siblings’ Days in India. The other one is known as BHAIYYADUJ. It is celebrated two days after the Hindu festival of Diwali sometime in November. On this day sisters put Tilak (a sacred red mark) on the forehead of their brothers and pray for their long and healthy life. Brothers vow to protect their sisters and help them if they face any problems. The rest of the celebrations are like Rakhi. India is a country of festivals. It is culturally so rich that it celebrates a festival almost every other week. These two Sibling Days Rakhi and Bhaiyyaduj are among the most important festivals.
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Arslan Nazeer, Pakistan: In this technology age, how can we please our siblings as we are unable to give them adequate time? 
Claudia: It's the internet and telephone that help us right now if you cannot be together in person. Sometimes airplane travel helps. This is something we need to try to adapt to as technology drives so much of our lives. Also sending a card or letter or flowers is a nice way to connect.
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Subhash: I agree with Claudia that the internet is a positive thing, along with globalization. Through the internet, gifts can be ordered and delivered. Now there are ways with the internet to even see each other and tie Rakhi for example. It's a different type of fun. Distance is always there but internet technology give a certain advantage.
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Rana Hanan, United Kingdom: I wanted to know about Rakhi custom in india. Is it now practiced with same fervour or fading away?
Subhash: It is not fading. Technology has impacted things. But in local communities, I was there in India for the last Rakhi and brothers and sisters to travel to be with each other.
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Claudia: I was told about Rakhi about five years ago when I was learning how to speak in public. After a speech, two men from India approached me to tell me about Rakhi. I'd love to go to India, it's my dream to go there and see Rakhi. Stores here in the U.S. in local Indian communities, offer Rakhi strings for the celebration.
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Tayyab Ajmal: What would be the preferred day to celebrate Siblings Day upon U.S. Presidential approval?
Claudia: April 10th.
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Claudia: With regard to the word Sibling, it means one or two individuals, born from the same parents at different times. This word is spreading more, which is great. Also good to know is that a lot of countries have different words to describe brother and sister...should other countries adopt a siblings day, they could have their own name or perhaps use the word sibling. We'd love to know more about how other countries celebrate siblings so send us your ideas. You can send them to this website: www.siblingsday.org
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Erin: There are two Siblings’ Days in India. The other one is known as BHAIYYADUJ. It is celebrated two days after the Hindu festival of Diwali sometime in November. On this day sisters put Tilak (a sacred red mark) on the forehead of their brothers and pray for their long and healthy life. Brothers vow to protect their sisters and help them if they face any problems. The rest of the celebrations are like Rakhi. India is a country of festivals. It is culturally so rich that it celebrates a festival almost every other week. These two Sibling Days Rakhi and Bhaiyyaduj are among the most important festivals.