A new trend is tying families together this Raksha Bandhan — the ‘bhai-bhabhi rakhi duo’.The bhabhi (sister-in-law) is no longer just a brother’s wife but, in many homes, a friend, a guide and sometimes the person who holds the family together.The definition of protection has widened, and so has the scope of the rakhi, with hampers including one thread for the brother and another — often a more delicate, bracelet-style thread — for the bhabhi.Priced between Rs 200 and Rs 1,500 in hampers, these sets have become the most sought-after item in shops and online stores this year.“The shift began two-three years ago, but it has peaked this year. Nearly 70 per cent of my customers ask for the pair, as sisters wish to include their bhabhis in the celebration, considering their role to be no less important than that of a brother. Earlier, it was just one thread, but now people want to celebrate the whole family together. NRI customers especially order these hampers for video-call celebrations. Most of our orders are for the combos this year,” says Anil Dhingra, a shopkeeper in Sahnewal.Malti Tiwari from Ludhiana says she has already purchased a bhai-bhabhi hamper and will be tying rakhis to both.“For me, Raksha Bandhan is not just about my brother. My bhabhi has become like a sister to me over the years. So, when I tie rakhis to both, I feel as if I am protecting my entire family. This definitely makes the bond stronger,” she says.Harleen, a college professor from Patiala, believes that, as families are increasingly nuclear and often live apart, every relationship that provides emotional support becomes important.“Moreover, we now wish to celebrate everything publicly. If a sister posts a rakhi photo and tags only her brother, it looks incomplete. The duo concept fills that gap and makes the celebration more inclusive,” she adds.Dr Nidhi Saroop from Chandigarh, whose brother lives abroad with his family, shares that her bhabhi is no longer just her “brother’s wife”.“On video calls, if the sister ties a rakhi only on the bhai, the bhabhi sitting next to him feels left out. Moreover, if the behan-bhai relationship is regarded as sacred, the nanad-bhabhi relationship is in no way less important,” she says.“When my sister ties a rakhi on my wife’s wrist, I feel happy. I get emotional seeing my sister and wife together during Raksha Bandhan. I feel proud that my wife is getting the same respect. It’s not about the thread or the gift. It’s about being accepted and valued in the family,” shares Gurpreet Singh of Rampur village.“A sister-in-law is treated as an outsider in most homes. Now, when a daughter ties rakhis to both her brother and sister-in-law, it means the latter is being accepted as a daughter. If one small thread can stop families from breaking apart, nothing can be stronger than this. At a time when people are drifting apart, this small gesture should endure, bringing families closer for years to come,” says Dr Narinder Sandhu, a retired principal.