COVID Raksha Bandhan

The season of Raksha Bandhan has started. Every sister is trying to shop the best rakhi’s for their irritating brothers and the brothers think rakhi is only an investment to earn ten times profit in seconds. Anuj, a neurologist, and neurosurgeon is treating COVID patients this year. He was called to Mumbai from Jabalpur as the number of COVID cases was increasing drastically in Mumbai. He has a younger sister, Supriya, who is studying for MBA. They have an amazing and interesting relationship. Like every brother, Anuj also teases his sister you are nothing without me, you are adopted and mother loves me more. One day when he came back from the hospital, he was in a bad mood as his surgery was not successful. He asked a glass of water to Supriya to which she refused to give and asked him back to help himself. He, in anger and frustration, roared in a very high voice, “You are so lazy that can’t give me a glass of water. You are no one to be taken care of, one day when I won’t be there any more you will regret not giving me a glass of water. You are good for nothing.” Supriya was shocked as she had never seen Anuj's this side before. She got scared and ran to her mother and started crying. After that Anuj and Supriya stopped talking to each other for days. Time passed but the crack in their relationship was not healed. Days became weeks and weeks became months. They stopped sharing things and teasing each other. In the following days, Anuj got a call from Mumbai that they require him there. He decided to help the government and public and was ready to be part of the suicide mission. He hugged his mother and touched the feet of his father before leaving but ignored his sister and left for Mumbai.

After three weeks the season of Raksha Bandhan started. There were special rakhi shops in the markets, the sweetshops were offering new sweets, the gift stores started their exclusive gift ranges, the apparel stores started their rakhi sale and the joy on the streets was immeasurable. All this made Supriya realize her mistake and she wanted her brother back. She wanted to heal all the cracks in their relationship through Raksha Bandhan. She decided to surprise him. She booked her tickets for Mumbai, purchased the most unique rakhi along with a new dress and Anuj’s favorite sweets. She packed all her stuff and traveled to Mumbai. She checked in the hotel near the hospital, which was large and luxurious. She kept her stuff in the room and got ready. She wore her new dress, put some makeup on her face, and headed off to meet her brother.

When reached hospital, she asked for his brother on the reception, the receptionist directed her to his cabin. Anuj was missing from his cabin. She asked the peon about his brother. He said that the doctor must be treating patients, and asked her to wait. An hour and so passed she was still waiting. She came out of the cabin and asked one of the senior doctors about his brother. The senior doctor replied, “I am very sorry to inform you that your brother is COVID positive and he is in a critical stage. He was serving the patients very passionately and was always surrounded by them. He mostly skipped his meals and ultimately his immunity was not so strong to protect him from the deadly virus.” Supriya was shocked and wanted to meet her brother. She asked for permission to the senior doctor to meet her brother and she was granted the permission to meet him only if she agrees to abide by the rules of the hospital. She wore the PPE kit and shield on her face and doctor gloves and went to see her brother. She took the rakhi with her and tied it on his brother’s hand. Her brother was in sleep and she didn’t want him to get disturbed so she kept starring at him and smiled. She said, “I have tied this Rakhi on your hand and you have to come back to me to protect me evils. I will wait for you and I am sorry for that day and I hope you will give one more chance to serve you a glass of water and one last thing your patients need you so get up we don’t have time to waste like this.” She uttered these words and left. She handed all the masks and gloves to the hospital staff and rushed to the hotel room. She was unable to handle the condition of her brother and crying out loud. She wanted to protect her brother but she was not allowed. She was still crying when she received a call from the hospital which informed her that they have seen some positive changes in her brother’s health. She prayed every day for wellness her brother and she was able to see the result of her prayers in the next 21 days.

She was able to see her brother fit and fine in front of her and hugged him tightly. She did his aarti and tied him rakhi once again with all the rituals.

Dedicated to all the doctor brothers and sisters who trying their level best to protect us. They are teaching us the true meaning of Raksha. So, let’s celebrate their efforts this Raksha Bandhan and appreciate them for their beautiful work and dedication.