There is something extraordinary about the bond between siblings. It’s a connection that weaves together childhood memories, shared milestones, and countless inside jokes. Siblings are our first best friends, our fiercest rivals, and our lifelong cheerleaders. They challenge us, support us, and see us through a variety of our life’s phases.
As we celebrate Rakhri, a festival that honors the love, protection, and connection between siblings, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on these special relationships. For those that celebrate, Rakhri is not just about the thread we tie, but about the lasting promise it symbolizes: to always stand by each other, through thick and thin.
This year, DARPAN Magazine is highlighting community siblings whose stories showcase what makes these relationships so unique. Whether through sports, academics, or shared adventures, these siblings prove that the love between brothers and sisters knows no bounds.
The Sahota Siblings
Jessy Sahota (Police Officer)
Paul Sahota (Social Worker)
Q: What do you admire most about your sibling?
Jessy: It might sound a bit cliché, but my brother Paul is truly my rock. He’s my biggest cheerleader and always supports me no matter what I’m trying to do. Whatever I’m up to, I know I can count on my little sidekick brother to be right there with me, cheering me on every step of the way.
Paul: I really admire how my brother always leads by example. He’s got that natural talent for being a great leader. He’s been there for me through everything, offering support, advice, and guidance along the way. Honestly, I’m pretty much who I am today because he set such a high bar for me!
Q: What’s your all-time favorite memory together?
Our favorite memories are of winning big wrestling and kabaddi tournaments together. We’ve coached at Tamanawis High School and won four provincial titles. Those victories have become a special part of who we are. We are both pretty competitive, so we definitely feel a bit disappointed when we lose, but we also feel a huge sense of pride when the Sahota brothers come out on top.
Q: What’s one silly fight you still remember?
Paul: Back in high school, Jessy and I would hit the gym together before school, which meant waking up at 5 AM. Jessy has always been a morning person, but I’m not quite wired that way. Jessy would wake me up every morning, which was a struggle for both of us. One morning, I was having a tough time staying awake and actually dozed off on the gym bench. Jessy, being the caring brother that he is, decided to wake me up by dragging me off the bench as everyone in the gym held their breath and watched. I fell to the floor and quickly had to collect myself. The rude awakening led to a silly fight that we still laugh about.
The Kapil Siblings
Aditi Kapil (Business Owner, Brightside Foods)
Deepti Kapil (Undergraduate Student, UFV)
Geetansh Kapil (Undergraduate Student, UofT)
Q: What do you admire most about your siblings?
Aditi: I love how excited they get about things. They light up rooms, get so curious about random topics, and laugh their hearts out. They are so fluid and flexible. It doesn’t matter if it’s a study session, grocery trip, walk in the park, or jumping off a cliff—they are always ready to go and bring the energy.
Deepti: No matter what challenge I’m facing, I know I can always turn to my siblings. We’re always on the same team, and we work through problems together by sharing different perspectives. It’s always ‘us against the problem’.
Geetansh: Our bond is about the choice to love one another. My siblings can be both fun and serious, and that balance is what makes our relationship so special.
Q: What’s your all-time favorite memory together?
Anytime we are together! Endless trips, adventures, shenanigans, but our favorite is all the little moments: coming home to each other, the inside jokes, or a little coffee shared together. These moments make us forget about all our worries, connect, and laugh. The setting and location don’t matter. When we are together, we know we are having a good time.
Q: What’s one silly fight you still remember?
We once had an argument over a completely made-up scenario. We were creating hypothetical situations, and one of us got upset because someone didn’t attend their imaginary 50th birthday party! It still makes us laugh.
The Billen Siblings
Helena Billen (International Olympic Weightlifter & Coach, SFU Alumni)
Jeenat Billen (International Olympic Weightlifter, SFU Alumni)
Angel Billen (International Olympic Weightlifter, SFU Student)
Udaypartap Singh Billen (International Wrestler, Grade 11 Student)
Q: What do you admire most about your siblings?
Helena: We come from a sports family, and after paving the way in Olympic weightlifting, I’m proud of my siblings’ discipline and the goals they’ve set for themselves.
Jeenat: I admire their consistency. They always show up and put in the work, no excuses. It is a testament to their dedication and commitment. They inspire me to be more reliable in my training
Angel: I am impressed by their creativity in finding new ways to improve. They're always experimenting with new techniques to better themselves. Their hard work inspires me to keep pushing myself forward.
Udaypartap: I appreciate their ability to stay positive and think about the bigger goal they have for themselves, even after a tough loss. They always come back stronger, which helps me realize to never give up.
Q: What’s your all-time favorite memory together?
Our favorite memory together is training in the same facility and getting to watch each other, excel, and learn from one another. We believe siblings share a bond that lasts forever. No matter what happens, it is essential to stick together through thick and thin and cherish every moment together.
Q: What’s one silly fight you still remember?
We really do not fight. We try to rise above any disagreement without conflict so that we carry on building a foundation of love and respect for one another.
These sibling stories remind us that sibling love is one of life’s greatest gifts. Siblings offer a unique kind of companionship that lasts a lifetime. Through victories, silly fights, and shared dreams, siblings build a bond that doesn’t just tie threads but ties hearts. This Rakhri, let’s celebrate these beautiful connections and the joy of being each other’s lifelong teammates!
