Tagore's vision of celebrating Raksha Bandhan was totally different.
According to him Rakhi is not only a festival of the siblings but it's a
celebration of mankind and of humanity. He promoted the concept of unity
and harmony among all members of the society. He believed that it is the
responsibility of all the members of the society to help and protect
each other and encourage a harmonious social life. For him Rakshabandhan
festival is the celebration of fellow feeling and concern. Especially in
today's context Tagore's vision is very much applicable as it teaches us
to think and care for others. The history behind this festival dates
back to the year 1905 when the British empire decided to divide Bengal,
a state of British India on the basis of caste and religion. That time
Rabindra Nath Tagore arranged a ceremony to celebrate Raksha Bandhan to
strengthen the bond of love and togetherness between the Hindus and the
Muslims of Bengal and together fight against the British empire. He used
the platform of Raksha Bandhan to spread the feeling of brotherhood. It
was his vision to spread the nationalist spirit among people from
different ethnic groups. His literary works have always transcended
race, gender, religion and geographical boundaries. In his works and his
beliefs he has always felt that it is important to have freedom of mind
irrespective of race, religion and culture.
According to him if we can think beyond our religion and caste than
only we can become true human beings. So to spread this message of love
he thought Raksha Bandhan to be the most appropriate day to spread this
message. Rabindranath Tagore in Shantiniketan started congregations like
Rakhi Mahotsavas. This invoked trust and feeling of peaceful
coexistence. The festival for them is a symbol of harmony. The tradition
continues as people tie rakhis to the neighbors and close friends. It is
a festival denoting National sentiments of harmony. So if we look in to
the actual significance of this festival in today's world, which is full
of crisis and strife, these kinds of rituals hold the key to peaceful
existence. The auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan can be used as a potent
tool for social change, which could ultimately envelop everyone in a
permanent bond of love and friendship.