New Delhi: Qamar Sheikh, the Pakistani-origin sister of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will visit New Delhi on August 18 to tie a rakhi on his wrist on August 19. This marks the 30th year of the tradition. What’s more, Qamar Sheikh lovingly crafts the rakhi herself and makes each one a special gesture of love and respect. She is a self-proclaimed fan of PM Modi and has been carrying out this ritual for three decades, transcending borders and strengthening their bond.
Who is Qamar Sheikh?
Qamar Sheikh is originally from Karachi, Pakistan and has been living in India since her marriage to her Ahmadabad-based painter Mohsin Sheikh in 1981. Over the decades, she has maintained the special tradition with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which began in 1990 when she first met him. At that time, Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat and their introduction was facilitated by the then Governor of Gujarat, Swaroop Singh.
Every year, Qamar Sheikh personally crafts a Rakhi to tie on Modi’s wrist, never opting for store-bought ones. She dedicates time to making several Rakhis, selects the finest among them and presents it to the prime minister. Her Rakhis are known for their variety and uniqueness and it reflects her creative effort each year.
However, due to Covid-19 safety protocols, Sheikh could not perform the tradition in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Last year, she travelled to the national capital with her husband to celebrate Raksha Bandhan by tying a rakhi. Sheikh expressed her wishes for her brother’s good health and expressed confidence that the prime minister will continue his decade-long public welfare efforts. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Sheikh expressed her support for PM Modi. “There’s no doubt he will be Prime Minister again. He deserves it because of his capabilities, and I hope he remains PM of India every time,” she told the media.