Manushi Chhillar on what Raksha Bandhan means to her

For Manushi Chhillar, Raksha Bandhan has always been about gender parity & equality.

In the Chhillar household, Raksha Bandhan has been an extremely significant occasion to teach the kids some important life values. The gorgeous Manushi Chhillar reveals that, for her, this ceremony has always stood for gender parity and equality, thanks to her doctor parents Mitra Basu and Neelam.

While popularly, on this day, sisters tie a talisman, called Rakhi, around the wrists of their brothers. The ceremony symbolises the fact that the brothers will be protecting and taking care of their sisters through their lives, thus implying a deep sense of patriarchy in society. Manushi’s parents have, however, always taught the three siblings- Dewangana, Dalmitra and Manushi– that protecting each other and standing by each other is most important. They have been taught that the brother too will need the sisters just as much the sisters might need their brother.

Manushi says, “In my family, my parents have always instilled a sense of parity in everything we do or celebrate. So, even when we have celebrated Raksha Bandhan, it has been a very inclusive occasion for us. Dewangana, Dalmitra and I have always celebrated it as a day to appreciate the bond we share as siblings. We promise that we’ll always be there for each other. We’re best friends!”

Manushi on her brother’s views:

She says that her brother Dalmitra is very progressive in his thinking because of her parents. She says, “My brother, being the youngest, has himself been vocal about the fact that he needs his sisters as much as we need him. That’s the bond we share.”

The famous model made India proud in 2017 by winning back Miss World crown 17 years after Priyanka Chopra won it. She adds, “This ethos has come from our parents; we’ve seen them being equals at everything. They have been our role models because of their principles, morals, philosophies and the way they have maintained their relationship. So we celebrate Raksha Bandhan with a sense of equality. I can’t thank them enough for making us independent, inclusive and for grounding us with the right values.”

The actress is set to debut opposite Akshay Kumar in Prithviraj.