A Thread of Love, A Bond of Belonging ❤️🙏

It was Raksha Bandhan — a festival celebrated across India that honors the sacred bond between a brother and sister. On this day, a sister ties a Rakhi (a sacred thread) on her brother’s wrist as a symbol of love, care, and protection. In return, the brother promises to stand by his sister throughout life’s journey. This tradition has been part of Indian culture for centuries, transcending regions, languages, and even religions.

For me, this Raksha Bandhan was extraordinary. After 27 years of living in Kuwait, I finally had the chance to feel the warmth of a Rakhi tied on my wrist in person. TM Pragya, wife of our Division E Director, tied the Rakhi — and in that simple act, I felt waves of emotion. It wasn’t just a ritual; it was a reminder that love and belonging can find us anywhere in the world.
What made this moment even more meaningful is the way my Toastmasters journey has surrounded me with a sense of family. Over the years, every female Toastmaster I have met — whether in meetings, celebrations, or family gatherings — has treated me like a brother, making me feel truly at home despite being miles away from my own family in India.
And isn’t that what Toastmasters is all about? Beyond speeches and leadership projects, Toastmasters builds a culture of trust, support, and shared belonging. Just as Raksha Bandhan celebrates a bond of love and protection, Toastmasters celebrates bonds of encouragement and respect. We lift each other up when nerves strike, we applaud each other’s growth, and we celebrate each other’s victories — big or small.

This day, I realized that Rakhi is not just a thread — it is a symbol of connection. And in many ways, Toastmasters too is a Rakhi that ties us together as one global family.

This Raksha Bandhan will forever remain close to my heart — not only because I tied a Rakhi after 27 long years in Kuwait, but because it reminded me that true family is not only given by birth, it is also built through love, respect, and belonging.❤️
“this day reminded me that a simple thread can create bonds of love, and Toastmasters creates bonds of belonging — together, they make life truly complete.”