Raksha Bandhan is the celebration of brother sister relationship. The sibling relationship is nowhere so celebrated as in India. The day when the siblings pray for each others’ well being and wish for each others’ happiness and goodwill. As the name ‘Raksha Bandhan’ suggests, ‘a bond of protection’, Raksha Bandhan is a pledge from brothers to protect the sister from all harms and troubles and a prayer from the sister to protect the brother from all evil. The festival falls on the Shravan Purnima (full moon day of shravan month) which comes generally in the month of August. The sisters tie the silk thread called rakhi on their brother’s wrist and pray for their well being and brothers promise to take care of their sisters. The festival is unique to India creates a feeling of belongingness and oneness amongst the family. Though now it is considered as a brother and sister festival, it was not always so. There have been examples in history where in rakhi has just been a raksha or protection. It could be tied by wife, a daughter or mother. The Rishis tied rakhi to the people who came seeking their blessings. The sages tied the sacred thread to themselves to safe guard them from the evil. It is by all means the ‘Papa Todak, Punya Pradayak Parva’ or the day that bestows boons and end all sins as it is mentioned in the scriptures. Rakhi for many centuries encompassed the warmth shared between the siblings but now it goes way beyond it.
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8 years today and still going strong. Having fun in Australia, we went out for a meal after soccer with our mate Luke. Had a few drinks as usual and got home at a reasonable hour! We’ll celebrate more on the weekend and will let you know how it goes, but I am sure you all know the drill by now 
We did it, one whole year and what a fantastic year it has been. Managed to get good jobs within weeks of landing made some good friends and our house is well under construction.
Yes that’s right; we have been here for one year today. The year has sailed past with no major glitches. There have been high points and low point, but not so many of the low. Many of you thought we would be back in six months and I bet you thought we were back for good when we turned up last Christmas, but that only encouraged us and made us stronger, we truly believe we made the right decision. Though we miss everyone back in the UK the webcam is only a switch away. Will we ever come back home, who knows; the adventure has only just begun.
We have been lucky enough to make some great friends, friends from Japan, Malaysia, Russia, Germany, Philippines, China, and many more; sharing their stories, culture and food.
Took a trip to the Royal Melbourne Zoo on the weekend as it was a bank holiday and the sun was out. In fact it was around 35°C and we were worried that the animals might not be moving around much. How we were wrong, they were shagging and all sorts… nah nah just kidding. The lions were roaming; one was chomping on a piece of meat while another just continued to roar. There was a Puma that just continued to walk around in the same circle, over and over… made you dizzy just looking at him. The monkeys were fun, one Orangutan looked like he was about to throw up over the side while the other had wet a towel, draped it over his head and was sound asleep under the burning sun. Still haven’t seen a Koala yet, it was just too hot for the little guys I think. The kangaroos were sitting under trees enjoying a cool drink.
Watched a young lady get over excited at the site of a peacock, she wouldn’t leave the poor thing alone, the peacock was to fast for her and she never got her photograph. It was fun to watch her chase the peacock around the park and shouting to her friends to quickly take a picture, at least that is what I think she was shouting. Classic “photo time” incident.
A huge congratulations to Mick and Dee on the birth of a beautiful baby boy on the 2nd March, which for those of you have forgotten was Mothering Sunday, which makes him that little bit more special. I tried to calculate the probability of having a baby born on Mothering Sunday and got as far there is one in seven chance of it being born on a Sunday and one in twelve of it being born in March.. Pally you are always quick of the mark with these ones… help me out.
Amrit Singh Rai was born at 00:25 hours and weighed a super 8lb 2oz. Both mother and baby are doing great and we hope to see more pictures of the happy family soon. Ladoo have already been passed around in Manawali, India to celebrate and I do believe the Rai’s has a Triple S (Super Saturday Session) this week. Let us know how that went, sorry we weren’t there.
Well done guys, enjoy the late nights and dirty nappies that your little bundle of joy will be giving you. Will this little guy be a doctor, lawyer or engineer?
There is a beautiful and convincing explanation given by the Chinese…..
Thumb represents your Parents
Second (Index) finger represents your Siblings
Middle finger represents your-Self
Fourth (Ring) finger represents your Life Partner
& the Last (Little) finger represents your children
Firstly, open your palms (face to face), bend the middle fingers and hold them together - back to back
Secondly, open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb - tip to tip
(As shown in the figure above)
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