In India, rakshabandhan- or simply rakhi- is celebrated to mark the bond between a sister and brother. Many historical and mythological stories are associated with this pious event. But now, and in many places, rakshabandhan binds all siblings together- and not just brothers and sisters.
On the occasion of rakshabandhan this year, we at Indian Masterminds take a close look on civil servants who are siblings as well as colleagues working for the Indian Government.
‘RAKSHABANDHAN IS NOT LESS THAN DIWALI HOLI FOR US
Talking of siblings who made it to UPSC, the names which come first to mind concern the amazing Mishra family of Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh, where all four brothers & sister who spent their childhood under the same roof managed to crack UPSC, arguably India’s toughest exam. It was no easy victory for them. It took all of six years of Kshama Mishra, Yogesh Mishra, Madhavi Mishra and Lokesh Mishra to clear the final hurdle.Yogesh was the first one to get into services, while Lokesh and Kshama cracked UPSC in 2016.
Yogesh is currently posted as dministrative officer in the Ordnance factory of Shahjahanpur, UP., while Kshama is an IPS officer of Karnataka cadre. Madhavi & Lokesh are IAS officers of Jharkhand cadre, and the former is at present the District Magistrate of Ramgarh.
Rakhee is a special occasion for the four Mishra bureaucrats. Talking about their bond, Mr. Yogesh said, “We all are of same age group and grew together. Rakshabandhab was always special to us, but after all four of us got selected in civil services, the once-a-year event became more special. It is not less than Diwali or Holi. Every year, on this day, we try to be together. This time we are gathering at Madhavi’s place”.
Mr Yogesh specially remembers the rakshabandhan of 2016- when all of them cleared UPSC. That year, along with doing the rituals, the family also organised a puja for their success. He also said that now that all of them were in the service, they provide professional support to each other in addition to emotional support.
On the occasion Ms. Madhavi remembers a childhood incident. She said, “I am younger to my brother Yogesh and was obviously very naughty. We both were in same school. So, every time I did some mischievous thing my teachers used to tell him. However, he wouldn’t let it pass to my parents and always took the blame on himself. When my father got to know about, this he was not angry, but pleasantly surprised about his care towards me”.
THE TWO SISTERS
And then there is IPS officer D Roopa Moudgil of Karantaka cadre, who needs no introduction. She is currently posted as the MD, Handicraft Corporation in the state. This fierce and no nonsense officer has a little sister Rohini Diwakar who is an IRS officer of 2008 batch. Both the sister are known for their good work in respective field.
Although they don’t celebrate rakshabandhan because it is not a native festival of Karnataka, but their bond is unbreakable.
Talking about her sister Ms. Rohini said, “I grew up in protective environment under my sister. She has really inspired me a lot. She has an important role to play in my every decision, whether it concerns my career or family. She is fierce and her fighting spirit is unmatched. I love and respect her a lot. Now a days I am also in Bangalore so we are spending quite a time together. Although we don’t tie rakhi but literally our love & bond goes beyond any symbol”.
When asked about her sister Ms. Roopa said that she is in awe of her on how she strikes a perfect balancing between her work and family. “She is more on the emotional side and gives proper time to our parents and her kid. This is one quality I lack. I really admire her for this. She is seven years younger to me so obviously I am protective about her”, said the elder sister.
“She wanted to try her hands in modelling. I didn’t let that happen. I did everything to convince her for getting into UPSC”, Ms. Roopa said. The IPS officer also mentioned that rakhi is not a traditional festival in Karanataka, but because of the media’s influence, many people have started celebrating it.
When told that now sisters are also trying rakhi to each other, Ms Roopa laughed and quipped, “Oh is that so? I should then ask Rohini to do it!’’
What these bureaucrats meant but didn’t say was: to a lay observer, rakshabandhan is all about a thread. But in reality this thread is laced with love and affection, the ingredients which hold the families together.
