Racer Mira Erda and her elder brother, Vrajesh Erda, open up about Raksha Bandhan, childhood memories, adventurous trips and the unwavering support they have for each other.
For professional racer Mira Erda and her elder brother Vrajesh Erda, Raksha Bandhan is more than a festival or an annual family tradition. It is a reminder of the relationship they have built over the years—one shaped by childhood arguments, shared adventures, thoughtful gifts and, most importantly, constant support.
Vrajesh is six years older than Mira, but the siblings say the age difference has never stopped them from sharing a close and evolving bond.
“Despite the age difference, we work really well together. He has always been my Secret Santa, and our bond has evolved beautifully over the years,” Mira says.
For Vrajesh, choosing gifts for his younger sister has always been something special.
“The moment I get a hint about what she needs, I love gifting it to her,” he says.
This year, both siblings are in town for Raksha Bandhan, giving them an opportunity to celebrate the occasion together with their family. From dressing up for the festival and enjoying a traditional family lunch to spending time together later in the day, Mira and Vrajesh look forward to keeping their favourite traditions alive.
A Raksha Bandhan Celebration With Family
The festival is closely connected to family time for the Erda siblings.
They say they enjoy celebrating with their cousins a day before Raksha Bandhan. On the day of the festival, the family gets together, dresses up and takes part in the traditional rituals.
After the rakhi ceremony, the siblings look forward to one of their favourite parts of the celebration—a family lunch.
Their plans do not necessarily end there.
The siblings also enjoy spending time together at the track in the evening, a setting that reflects their shared love for adventure and Mira’s world of motorsports.
For them, Raksha Bandhan combines family traditions with the simple pleasure of being together.
‘Both of Us Are Adventurous Souls’
Although their schedules do not always allow them to spend as much time together as they would like, Mira and Vrajesh make the most of the opportunities they get.
Mira describes both of them as adventurous people.
“While we don’t get to spend a lot of time together now, both of us are adventurous souls,” she says.
Whenever possible, the siblings enjoy going on off-roading trips together. They also plan family holidays when their schedules allow.
Among their favourite destinations is Udaipur, a city they enjoy visiting with their family.
For Vrajesh, some of the best memories are created during off-roading trips, particularly in the monsoon.
“We love off-roading, especially during the monsoon; getting drenched and dirty is the best part,” he says.
Weekends also provide them with an opportunity to unwind together.
They enjoy spending time at the track, watching the sunset while sharing coffee and listening to music.
From Childhood Complaints to Constant Support
Like many siblings, Mira and Vrajesh have plenty of childhood memories involving arguments and complaints.
Mira admits that, as children, they would regularly complain about each other to their mother.
She says that, occasionally, they still do.
But beneath the teasing and occasional disagreements has always been a strong sense of support.
That support became particularly meaningful when Mira chose to build a career in motorsports—a field that has traditionally been dominated by men.
Mira says her brother was extremely supportive of her decision and made an effort to attend some of her biggest races.
His encouragement, she says, has played an important role in her journey.
Vrajesh’s support gave Mira a sense of confidence as she pursued a highly competitive sporting career and continued to establish herself in motorsports.
A Childhood Bicycle Memory That Still Makes Them Laugh
Vrajesh also remembers a childhood incident that continues to be a source of amusement for the siblings.
He recalls falling off his bicycle after Mira closed a gate in his path when he did not have enough time to apply the brakes.
But, according to Vrajesh, Mira did not immediately rush to help him.
Instead, she ran inside and told their mother that the incident was his fault.
The siblings can now laugh about the childhood episode.
Their relationship, they say, has changed considerably over the years.
“Now, we always have each other’s backs,” Vrajesh says.
That sense of mutual support has become one of the defining aspects of their relationship.
Mira Says Her Brother Has Always Been Her ‘Secret Santa’
Gift-giving has become another important part of the siblings’ bond.
Mira says her brother loves pampering her with presents and has often surprised her with things she genuinely needed.
One of her most memorable Raksha Bandhan gifts came last year when Vrajesh bought her a pair of headphones.
Mira says she needed them but had not found the time to purchase them herself.
For Vrajesh, noticing what his sister needs and finding a way to surprise her appears to be part of the joy of being an elder brother.
However, not every gift has gone exactly as planned.
He remembers buying Mira an instant camera, only to later discover that somebody else had already given her the same gift.
The experience is now another funny memory in their collection of sibling stories.
A Fun-Loving Trio
The family dynamic has also changed with the addition of Mira’s sister-in-law.
Mira says the three of them have become a fun-loving group.
They share several common interests and enjoy discovering new restaurants and cafés together.
From exploring food destinations to spending time together during weekends, the trio enjoys finding ways to turn ordinary outings into quality family time.
Mira says her brother was extremely protective of her when she was younger.
Today, however, she believes he recognises her independence and knows she can handle things on her own.
Proud of Her Journey in Motorsports
Vrajesh says he is proud of Mira’s achievements as an athlete and has tried to support her in every way possible.
For Mira, having family support has been particularly meaningful in a demanding sport that requires discipline, travel and determination.
She also makes an effort to keep her brother informed about her travel schedules and professional plans.
The siblings’ relationship, therefore, is not only built around festivals and family celebrations. It also includes a continued interest in each other’s personal and professional lives.
Their story reflects a relationship that has grown from childhood mischief into adult friendship and mutual respect.
More Than a Raksha Bandhan Tradition
For Mira and Vrajesh Erda, Raksha Bandhan represents the evolution of a sibling relationship.
There were childhood complaints, funny accidents and protective instincts. Over time, these experiences turned into shared adventures, thoughtful gifts and dependable support.
Their age difference may be six years, but the siblings say they work well together and continue to share a close relationship.
Whether they are off-roading during the monsoon, planning a family trip, exploring a new café or simply spending time together at the track, Mira and Vrajesh have found their own ways to stay connected.
And at the heart of their bond is a simple promise they both continue to live by:
They always have each other’s backs.
