PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/DEHRADUN
The festive rush is picking up in Dehradun as Rakshabandhan draws closer, with markets seeing throngs of shoppers looking for Rakhis, clothes, gifts, sweets and mehndi. Post offices and courier centres are also witnessing increased footfall as residents prepare to send Rakhis and gifts to siblings living outside the city.
For many families, however, the celebrations are not about extravagant spending but about being together and making the occasion special.
Several residents of the city this correspondent spoke to said that they are balancing festive purchases with their regular household budgets while making plans to celebrate with their siblings.
Hema Malik said that she is buying Rakhis, clothes for herself and gifts for family members and expects to spend around Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 on the celebrations. “I am trying to keep the shopping within my budget while also making sure there is something special for everyone,” she said, adding that she is choosing more useful and personalised gifts instead of expensive items this year.
For families separated by distance, sending a Rakhi has become an important part of the celebrations. Radha Thapa said that her brother lives in Lucknow and she plans to send a Rakhi and a gift via India Post. She said that sending the items well in advance helps avoid last-minute worries about delivery. “Even if we cannot celebrate together, sending a Rakhi and a gift makes the occasion feel special. It is a small way of keeping the bond alive despite the distance,” she said.
As the festival approaches, the rush is expected to increase further, with residents completing their shopping and sending Rakhis to family members in other cities. For many, the festival ultimately remains less about the value of the gifts and more about the opportunity to reconnect with siblings and spend time with family.
