“Every year, when Raksha Bandhan comes around, I think about how much meaning can be carried by something as small as a thread.

Long before the festival begins, about four weeks before the day itself, large trucks loaded with boxes arrive at our doorstep. My husband and I bring these rakhis all the way from Jodhpur and Jaipur in Rajasthan, where my family has its roots. I choose them for their colours, traditional designs and the little details that make each one different. Then I bring them here to Hyderabad, where I have made my home.

What I love about festivals is how they make us pause from our busy lives and return to the people who matter. Raksha Bandhan is not just about tying a rakhi and exchanging gifts. It is about remembering the bond between a brother and sister, the affection within a family and the promise of being there for one another.

That is something our traditions have taught me over the years. Festivals may come once a year, but the relationships they celebrate are with us throughout our lives. They give families a reason to come together, share a meal, exchange stories and create memories that stay long after the celebrations are over.

Perhaps that is why I enjoy watching people choose their rakhis right here at my stall. Some take their time looking at every design. Some immediately know which one will be perfect for their brother. And sometimes, I see someone pause quietly, thinking of a loved one who is far away.

In the end, a rakhi is only a thread. But when someone ties it with love, it carries a promise, a memory and the warmth of a relationship that has grown over a lifetime.”

• Kannaiah