Tilak, Sweets and Timeless Bonds

Festivals may have found new ways to reach people in the digital age, but some emotions remain untouched by changing times. Bhai Dooj, which celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters, continues to hold a special place in family traditions even as lifestyles, responsibilities and distances evolve.

With social media wishes, video calls and instant messages becoming part of everyday life, celebrations have increasingly taken a digital turn. However, for Nainakshi, a data engineer, technology may bridge distances, but it cannot replace the warmth of traditional celebrations.

“I don’t think digital wishes can take the place of traditional celebrations. Technology has definitely reduced distances, but sitting together, applying tilak, sharing sweets, and spending time with each other has a different feeling. Technology can create a connection, but traditions add emotions to that connection,” she says.

For Nainakshi, Bhai Dooj is much more than a festival. It is a celebration of love, protection and the reassurance that certain relationships remain constant despite life’s changes.

Describing the sibling bond as unique, she believes it beautifully balances affection, teasing, arguments, and unconditional support. Looking back at childhood celebrations, she recalls the excitement of wearing new clothes, preparing for the tilak ceremony, enjoying sweets and eagerly waiting for gifts.

“Honestly, there was both fighting and love. Sometimes we fought over little things, complained about each other, but there were also moments when we couldn’t stay without each other. That’s the beauty of siblings,” she shares.

Growing up, she says, has also changed the way she looks at the festival. While childhood celebrations revolved around rituals, gifts and excitement, adulthood has brought a deeper understanding of the emotions behind these traditions.

Calling her sibling a ‘constant’, Nainakshi says cities, priorities and responsibilities may change, but the bond remains. For siblings living in different cities or countries, her message is simple: never let distance come between relationships. A small call, a thoughtful message, or remembering the little things about each other can go a long way.

She also believes festivals play an important role in strengthening family bonds by bringing everyone together, creating memories and offering a welcome pause from hectic routines.

Taking the conversation beyond sibling relationships, Shivani Suri, a homemaker, highlights the importance of staying connected to one’s roots, particularly for those living away from India. For her, celebrating festivals is not just about family gatherings but also about preserving cultural identity and passing traditions on to younger generations.

“My only message to siblings who live in different cities or countries is that even while staying far from our country, we should stay connected in some way or the other with our family, siblings, friends, our country, its emotions and its culture,” she says.

Emphasising the importance of cultural continuity, Shivani believes the responsibility of keeping traditions alive also rests with the younger generation.

“We should also keep our upcoming generations connected in some way with our country’s traditions, cultures, festivals and morals. It is very important that we maintain our bond with our country, our birthplace and our family. Those living outside the country must stay connected to their roots,” she adds.

Reflecting on her childhood, Shivani recalls that her relationships with her siblings were equally filled with arguments and affection. Laughing about those memories, she says, “Between me and my brothers and sisters, there used to be only fights in childhood, but those fights were full of love. In childhood, a fight seemed like the solution to every matter.”

Adding another perspective to the celebration, Nidhi Kaushal, a social media manager, describes Bhai Dooj as a beautiful occasion to celebrate love, care and the bond shared between siblings. For her, siblings are the first friends one makes, the biggest critics and, at times, the strongest support system.

Looking back at childhood, Nidhi recalls the excitement of celebrating the festival with new clothes, sweets, gifts and family gatherings. She believes that although these moments appeared ordinary at the time, they have become some of her most cherished memories.

Recalling the familiar mix of arguments and affection between siblings, she says disagreements over little things were common, but the bond became even stronger whenever someone else tried to interfere.

“There used to be a lot of fighting and love in childhood. We would fight over small things, but if anyone else came in between, we would stand up for each other,” she shares.

Like Nainakshi, Nidhi also describes a sibling as a ‘constant’, explaining that no matter how much life changes, siblings remain connected through childhood memories and shared roots.

Speaking about the changing ways of celebrating Bhai Dooj, she acknowledges that video calls and social media have made celebrations easier, particularly for those living away from their families. However, she believes technology cannot replace the warmth of celebrating together.

“Emotions haven’t changed, just the way to express them has changed. The bond is still equally special,” she says.

For siblings living in different cities or countries, her message is to never allow distance to weaken their relationship. She encourages them to stay connected, make time for each other and express their affection beyond festive occasions.

She also believes festivals offer families an opportunity to step away from busy schedules, spend quality time together, and create lasting memories.

Perhaps that is what makes Bhai Dooj special. The rituals may evolve, and celebrations may become digital, but the emotions behind the festival remain unchanged. A tilak on the forehead, a box of sweets, a thoughtful gift, or even a simple conversation can bring back the warmth of childhood memories.

As life moves forward, siblings grow up, take different paths, and build their own worlds. Yet, the comfort of having someone who has known you since childhood remains irreplaceable. They are the people with whom you share your earliest memories, your silliest arguments, and some of life’s most cherished moments.

Bhai Dooj, therefore, is not just about following a tradition for a day; it is about celebrating a relationship that extends beyond festivals and special occasions. It reminds us to express gratitude, make time for one another, and never take these little bonds for granted.

After all, technology can deliver a thousand wishes, but the warmth of a sibling’s presence, a familiar smile, and an affectionate hug are feelings no screen can truly recreate. Because no matter how much the world changes, a sibling will always remain a constant — a friend by chance, a companion by choice, and family forever.