Sibling Love is precious globally; international students inspired
Remembering responsibilities & bonds is a way to make the world better
The bond of sibling love and protection ‘Raksha Bandhan’ will be celebrated across the world on Thursday. This year, this festival is much grander and has a truly global theme in Indore, as we have more than 31 students from 10 countries.
After covid-19 outbreak, The Emerald Heights International School, Indore, is the only school in the country to be selected for hosting international students. During their stay here, these students are not just learning but also enthusiastically participating in the festivals of India.
From their fun-filled train rides to dressing up in ethnics and tying Rakhis, these kids have their unique take to the festival. In an exclusive interaction with us, the kids shared their stories and twisted takes on the fest.
Siblings bonds forever, found a brother in India...
“Here in India, I have experienced something precious. My host brother's cousins tied some Rakhis ‘sacred threads’ to us already and will be typing more tomorrow. It’s a reminder than siblings bonds are more important than friendship. Friendship can be end, but sibling bonds never end.
I have 2 sisters (Aytac and Selcan) back in my country. I always wanted a brother and it became possible with AFS, now I have a host brother, who feels like a real one.
My eldest sister is 24 years old and the elder one is 19 years old. The eldest one just got married. I got a ‘Jiju’. It’s amazing. My eldest sister got married 3 days before my flight to India.
Seeing her happy is very important for me and I see her happy with her husband. I wish we had a holiday like this in my country too.
It is very sacred and important for sister and brother bond. Everyone comes together and celebrates the precious bond. I liked this tradition.”
Asgar Latifov
Grade 11
6th Number School
Azerbaijan
Having a new bro and sis
Remembering responsibilities & bonds is a way to make the world better
The bond of sibling love and protection ‘Raksha Bandhan’ will be celebrated across the world on Thursday. This year, this festival is much grander and has a truly global theme in Indore, as we have more than 31 students from 10 countries.
After covid-19 outbreak, The Emerald Heights International School, Indore, is the only school in the country to be selected for hosting international students. During their stay here, these students are not just learning but also enthusiastically participating in the festivals of India.
From their fun-filled train rides to dressing up in ethnics and tying Rakhis, these kids have their unique take to the festival. In an exclusive interaction with us, the kids shared their stories and twisted takes on the fest.
Siblings bonds forever, found a brother in India...
“Here in India, I have experienced something precious. My host brother's cousins tied some Rakhis ‘sacred threads’ to us already and will be typing more tomorrow. It’s a reminder than siblings bonds are more important than friendship. Friendship can be end, but sibling bonds never end.
I have 2 sisters (Aytac and Selcan) back in my country. I always wanted a brother and it became possible with AFS, now I have a host brother, who feels like a real one.
My eldest sister is 24 years old and the elder one is 19 years old. The eldest one just got married. I got a ‘Jiju’. It’s amazing. My eldest sister got married 3 days before my flight to India.
Seeing her happy is very important for me and I see her happy with her husband. I wish we had a holiday like this in my country too.
It is very sacred and important for sister and brother bond. Everyone comes together and celebrates the precious bond. I liked this tradition.”
Asgar Latifov
Grade 11
6th Number School
Azerbaijan
Having a new bro and sis
“I have a new family here and I love it. I have my brother Rachit. He's very energetic and eats a lot. He is a super cool person. I also have a little sister here now. She is Anaya. She's very bubbly and energetic. I am so glad that we can celebrate these precious bonds here. I think we will go back and celebrate at home too.
Phihlela Kamohelo
Dendrpn Secondary School
South Africa
Phihlela Kamohelo
Dendrpn Secondary School
South Africa
Little sis back in England... love stays
I am excited to be here with Sambhav. We went shopping for ethnic clothes here. I love the tradition of marking special bonds. We often forget what’s important in life. Here, I am able to realise a lot of things. I have a little sister back home. I am supposed to be her protector. She is precious to me.”
Jack Lancaster
Senior year of school
Richard Huish College
Minehead
England
I am excited to be here with Sambhav. We went shopping for ethnic clothes here. I love the tradition of marking special bonds. We often forget what’s important in life. Here, I am able to realise a lot of things. I have a little sister back home. I am supposed to be her protector. She is precious to me.”
Jack Lancaster
Senior year of school
Richard Huish College
Minehead
England
Breaking the chains of comfort
“I am happy to be here with my host sister (Navya). It’s very different here. I did not want to buy a new dress here. I am not sure how I will carry Indian ethnic wear. I will be wearing a dress borrowed from my host mother. I still like the tradition of marking bonds. I have a younger sister back home. She is very independent too.”
Natalia Losada
CEU San Pablo
Spain
“I am happy to be here with my host sister (Navya). It’s very different here. I did not want to buy a new dress here. I am not sure how I will carry Indian ethnic wear. I will be wearing a dress borrowed from my host mother. I still like the tradition of marking bonds. I have a younger sister back home. She is very independent too.”
Natalia Losada
CEU San Pablo
Spain
Sister love makes us human
“Sisters are important. They promote a sense of humanity and help us grow in many ways. I am enthusiastic about this festival. It’s really different from my country. I like learning about this wonderful way of keeping bonds stronger and alive. Here with my host sister (Saher) I feel at home.”
Vanessa Caballero Lopez
Class- 12
Conalep La Paz
City-La Paz, Baja California sur, Mexico
“Sisters are important. They promote a sense of humanity and help us grow in many ways. I am enthusiastic about this festival. It’s really different from my country. I like learning about this wonderful way of keeping bonds stronger and alive. Here with my host sister (Saher) I feel at home.”
Vanessa Caballero Lopez
Class- 12
Conalep La Paz
City-La Paz, Baja California sur, Mexico
Making a better world, better men
“I think it’s very sweet way to showing love. I have learned about it. I am excited. I like the idea of a special thread to mark protection. It’s a symbol of protection. We still need to protect women is sad really, but at least we are trying to built men who do that is a good idea. Here with Vaani, we learned about special Rakhi. We can even prepare them. I love this beautiful tradition.”
Mené Fourie
Class 11
Parys High School
South Africa
“I think it’s very sweet way to showing love. I have learned about it. I am excited. I like the idea of a special thread to mark protection. It’s a symbol of protection. We still need to protect women is sad really, but at least we are trying to built men who do that is a good idea. Here with Vaani, we learned about special Rakhi. We can even prepare them. I love this beautiful tradition.”
Mené Fourie
Class 11
Parys High School
South Africa