Lucknow: With Raksha Bandhan nearing, old-age homes in Lucknow are witnessing the festival being observed through relationships built inside their walls, where residents who live away from relatives are creating sibling bonds through everyday care and companionship.At an old-age home in Sarojini Nagar, 80-year-old retired lecturer Kavita Bhattacharya has been tying Rakhi to 88-year-old Vishwanath Mehra for the past four years. Bhattacharya, who never married, moved to the shelter after disagreements with family members. Mehra, a businessman, has spent nine years there after strained ties with his son led to distance from his family in Kanpur.“I never wanted to become a burden on my family, so I came here,” Bhattacharya said. “Vishwanathji supported me whenever I felt low. In him, I found the brother I needed.” Residents describe Mehra as a steady presence who often encourages others during difficult moments.A similar relationship has taken shape at an old-age home near Kukrail between Rakesh Agnihotri (67) and Rashmi Sharma (58), both of whom are undergoing treatment for mental health conditions. Agnihotri, a former govt officer, funds his care through his pension. Over time, he began treating Sharma as a younger sister, and she has tied Rakhi to him for five years.“When everything seemed gloomy and lonely, I found a younger sister,” Agnihotri said. “She motivates me, cares for me and even feeds me at times.”Another bond formed during a Ramleela staged at a Sarojini Nagar facility. Raju Gurnani (65), who played Ram, grew close to Indra Nigam (66), who portrayed Kaushalya. Nigam, whose children live abroad, cared for Gurnani during an illness, and for the last three years she has tied Rakhi on his wrist.These relationships, residents say, are helping them rebuild support systems and a sense of belonging through families of choice.
