Pune: It's new-age ties that bind, Bluetooth rakhis steal the show

PUNE: The fad of wearable technology has reached rakhis this year. With tech-enabled functions on a tie-able bracelet, Bluetooth rakhis have had many takers, say sellers.
Pallavi Agarwal, a Pimpri resident, has purchased a Bluetooth rakhi to surprise her brother who will be visiting her from Mumbai for the festival of Rakshabandhan. She said, "I have bought a bluetooth rakhi for my brother this year. It is included in a box of chocolates made of dry fruits, his favourite cheat-treat as he is a fitness enthusiast. According to the instructions that came with the packed box, I will have to pair the bluetooth-equipped rakhi with my smartphone. Every time he goes a certain distance away from me with the bluetooth rakhi on his wrist, it will play a message reminding him that he is supposed to spend the day with me."
While some people have tried out these bluetooth rakhis ahead of the festival to see how they works, or if they work at all, many have found that these devices are not compatible with iPhones and mostly work with Android devices.
Seed rakhis have become a trend this year among the woke millennials. These design on these rakhis are embedded with seeds from flowering plants that can be planted at home.
Rivija Thakker of Undri said, "Last year, I bought rakhis made using sustainable materials. This year, I saw advertisements on social media of these eco-friendly seed rakhis made by a startup. The rakhi looks like a regular one. You won't even figure out where the seed is. When you take the rakhi off your wrist, you can place the entire thing in a pot and water it like a regular seed. What sapling will grow from the seed is a surprise that all of us will be excited to see."
Among children, pouch-rakhis are the new trend this year. "The design is like an attachable pouch available in a variety of cartoon faces. It has gained popularity among kids below the age of 10 years. Among the pre-teens and teenagers, rakhis with quirky designs, phrases and superheroes are popular as usual," said Ravi Shinde, a shop owner from Rasta Peth.
Shubham Thorat, a variety shop employee from Market Yard, said, "This year, the sale of rakhis has remained more or less the same with no major fluctuation. Even during the lockdown, people were still buying rakhis to send to their brothers. However, the festivities this year are more."
India Post has also launched waterproof rakhi envelopes for Rakshabandhan and is also accepting letters and rakhis to be sent to soldiers stationed at the borders. "All the letters will be collected and sent via speed post to Delhi. The letters will then be distributed to be sent to the soldiers. All post offices will be accepting such letters and rakhis for Indian soldiers right up till August 10," said BP Erande, superintendent of post offices, Pune Rural.
Erande said over 15,000 special edition waterproof rakhi envelopes launched by India Post have been sold this year in the Pune region.