National Siblings Day 2024: 5 Women Get Candid About Their Bond With Their Sibling

Remember those days when you and your sibling fought like cats and dogs over the last slice of pizza or the TV remote? Fast forward to today, and you're each other's rock—the ones who've seen you at your worst and still love you unconditionally. It's a journey filled with ups and downs, but at the end of the day, your sibling is your forever friend.

As we celebrate National Siblings Day today, no one can deny that the bond between siblings is one of the longest-lasting relationships in our lives. From childhood squabbles to becoming each other's biggest supporters, we've certainly come a long way. Many of us grow up to be best friends, especially sisters who would do anything for each other—except share our phone chargers!

From gossiping about relatives we can't stand to always having each other's backs, even in the toughest times, we make an unbeatable team. Sure, we might plot against each other sometimes, but if anyone else tries to mess with one of us, they're in for trouble. When it comes to being both best friends and fierce rivals, that's the magic of having siblings.

5 Women Get Candid On The Wild, Wonderful World of Siblinghood

On the occasion of National Siblings Day, here are snippets from five women sharing about their bond with their siblings.

"My brother is the only person in my family that I know will always be on my side. I’ve never come out of the closet to anyone about being bisexual. He’s the only person who knows, and he’s cool about it. Given that many Indian families aren’t still accepting of various sexual orientations, having a brother who is supportive of my sexuality is a blessing," says a 21-year-old journalist who prefers to remain anonymous.

Deeptha Sreedhar, an MNC professional, says, "My sister  and I have an 8-year age gap. She's younger than me, and growing up, we didn't have much in common. But fast forward 20 years, and we're BFFs. I was recently bedridden with sciatic pain. I couldn't have imagined surviving if not for her never-ending support. She's my biggest cheerleader and strictest critic. From joking around that we found her in a garbage can (the cliched sibling joke) to being inseparable, we've come a long way."

"My brother is seven years younger than me, but he is way beyond mature for his 20-year-old self. I go to him for most advice, from gadget recommendations to dealing with parents. But a very recent instance saw us change gears. Ever since he moved out of home for his higher education, he has had a major shift in his perspective as well. He is more focused on his studies, career, and life and often comes to me seeking advice. The first time it happened, I felt so worldly and responsible. So, as most elder siblings feel, it was like I had to look after him now," said Ragini Daliya, a journalist.

Hari Priya, a banker, said, "My sister and I are each other's biggest pillars of strength. Growing up, our parents used to fight a lot, and that kind of brought us closer. She kind of became a second mother to me once she started earning. Now that we are both financially independent  adults, we really look out for each other. She got married a few years ago and has a child now. Our bond has never changed, even though we don’t see each other that often. If anything, we’ve become more protective of each other." No wonder a study says sisters are closer to each other than brothers.

Here's one from me. "My sister and I were adopted from different places. We share a 5-year age gap, but she’s always been more mature than me. We still fight a lot—or at least I do—but we always manage to bond over food. Surprisingly, for adopted siblings, we have quite a lot in common - Who said blood makes a family? She can be a tad bit irritating at times, but mostly she’s the good sister and an even better aunt to my daughter."

This National Siblings Day, instead of posting photos or videos on social media, let's take a moment to reach out to your sibling and remind them just how much they mean to you. Whether it's with a heartfelt text, a silly joke, or a trip down memory lane, let them know that no matter what, you're grateful to have them by your side.