Heartfelt Raksha Bandhan: Muslim teen ties rakhi to brother of Hindu donor
Anamta and Shivam’s “sibling” bond began last year when Anamta received a hand transplant from Riya, Shivam’s late sister.
In a heartfelt incident, a fifteen-year-old Muslim girl Anamta Ahmed tied rakhi to her donor's Hindu brother and the two families witnessed a Raksha Bandhan unlike any other.
Anamta and Shivam’s “sibling” bond began last year when Anamta received a hand transplant from Riya, Shivam’s late sister.
On October 30, 2022, Anamta’s right arm had to be amputated after she came into contact with an 11,000-kilowatt high-tension cable at a relative’s home in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. A resident of Goregaon, Mumbai, she was able to save her left arm through surgery but endured severe physical and emotional trauma following the accident.
Nearly two years later, on September 14, Riya, a Class 4 student from Valsad, Gujarat—about 200 km away—fell ill, experiencing sudden vomiting and an unbearable headache. After visiting multiple hospitals, she was admitted to Kiran Hospital in Surat on September 15, where she later died of a haemorrhage, leaving everyone shocked.
"I do not have a brother and Shivam lost his only sister. From now on, Shivam is my brother and I am his sister. I shall tie him a rakhi every year. I do not feel like I am meeting his family for the first time. Everyone gave me so much love," Anamta, who was dressed in a pink salwar-suit, said.
"I do not have a brother and Shivam lost his only sister. From now on, Shivam is my brother and I am his sister. I shall tie him a rakhi every year. I do not feel like I am meeting his family for the first time. Everyone gave me so much love," Anamta, who was dressed in a pink salwar-suit, said.
On Saturday, emotions ran high as Anamta and Shivam’s families met on Tithal Beach Road in Valsad. Anamta had travelled to the town to meet her “brother” and tie a sacred thread on his wrist.
Upon her arrival, the teenager was warmly embraced by Shivam’s mother.
"I felt as though I was getting the Rakhi tied by my beloved sister Riya," Shivam said.
"From now on, I am Anamta as well as Riya," Anamta added.