Many brothers and sisters who stay miles away wished each other with the help of social media
To conclude this year’s Diwali celebration, brothers and sisters in the city celebrated Bhai Dooj on Tuesday, the fifth day of Diwali festival. On this day, brothers promise to protect their sisters while, sisters offer prayer for their brother’s long life.
Many brothers and sisters who stay miles away wished each other with the help of social media. Speaking about how they celebrate in a traditional way, Smita Bhingarde (24), resident of Jogeshwari, said, “My brother works abroadand so, we did a video calling to wish each other and exchanged gifts by courier. My cousins and I meet in one of our family member’s house. We wear traditional dresses and make all the brothers sit together while performing aarti.”
Andheri based Surabhi Rathod’s brother stays in Chicago. She says, “Earlier I celebrated this day along with my brother and five cousins. But now, all of them went abroad either to study or for job opportunity. From the past few years, we greet each other on social media like Facebook or through Skype calling. Earlier it was fun to meet at one of my cousin’s place and celebrate it.”
Missing his cousin on this occasion, Harsh Chheda who is studying in Boston, says, “I miss being at home on Diwali. Every year my cousin comes to my house to celebrate Bahi Dooj. This year since I am not at home, I preferred speaking to her via video calling and gifting her with the help of an online gifting option.”
Bhai Dooj which is also known as Bhau Beej in Maharashtra is celebrated on the second day after the Shukla Paksha (new moon) in the Hindu lunar month of Kartik.
Curry Road based Bhoir family has 11 sisters and three brothers who celebrate thisoccasion together. Harshada Bhalekar (34), says, “We have a big family in our native place. We make Diwali sweets at home and offer them to our bothers before exchanging gifts.
Thane based 24-year-old Niharika Salvi enjoys the family lunch on the Bhai Dooj and feels good by seeing the bonding between her mother and two uncles. She says, “I don’t have a real brother to celebrate this festival but I enjoy the function by looking at my mother and two uncles. These festivals are a good way to spend quality time together with the extended family members.”
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