Raksha Bandhan special: From fighting over the TV remote to late-night secrets and sharing snacks, 7 nostalgic childhood sibling memories you’ll relate to

Before siblings started sending each other Instagram reels, sharing Spotify playlists or arguing over who left a message on read, there was a much simpler kind of sibling bond. It involved one TV remote, a packet of chips, school holidays and endless arguments over absolutely nothing. For many Indians, growing up with a brother or sister meant having a built-in best friend, rival and partner in crime.

Why these childhood memories still matter?

Sibling relationships change as people grow older. School turns into college, college becomes work and eventually siblings may live in different cities or even countries. The arguments over TV channels disappear. So do the fights over snacks, toys and bedroom space. But the memories remain.

For today's young generation, whose childhoods increasingly involve smartphones, streaming platforms and digital entertainment, these old sibling rituals can feel surprisingly nostalgic. They remind us of a time when entertainment did not need Wi-Fi and spending time together did not require a group chat. And perhaps that is what makes Raksha Bandhan more than just a festival involving a rakhi and gifts. It is also a reminder of all those ordinary, messy and hilarious moments that quietly turned siblings into lifelong companions.


This Raksha Bandhan, here are seven childhood memories that may instantly take you back.

Fighting over the TV remote

The TV remote was practically family property, but everyone seemed convinced it belonged to them. One sibling wanted to watch the cartoon, another wanted to watch cricket match and someone else was waiting for their favourite serial. The negotiations could quickly turn into shouting, bargaining and, occasionally, calling a parent to settle the dispute. Sometimes, it also meant standing in front of the TV to prevent the sibling from changing the channel.

And somehow, the fight often ended with everyone sitting together and watching whatever was finally chosen.

Hiding snacks from each other

You could have your own packet of biscuits, chips or chocolates, but that did not mean your sibling wouldn't find it. There was always an unspoken rule: if you discovered the hiding place, you were entitled to at least one bite. From secretly eating the last chocolate to blaming an innocent-looking sibling, snack theft was a childhood tradition in many Indian homes.

Remember, dividing food or beverages perfectly to make sure the other one does not end up getting more than their share. Today, siblings might order food separately through an app. Back then, stealing two pieces of your sibling's favourite snack was practically a love language.

Sharing a room and still wanting personal space

Growing up, sharing a bedroom often meant having very little concept of personal boundaries. One sibling's books occupied half the table, clothes somehow ended up everywhere and arguments could begin over something as tiny as who got the better side of the bed.

Yet that same room often became the place where siblings whispered after bedtime, shared secrets and laughed at jokes they weren't supposed to be making.

Fighting one minute, teaming up the next

Sibling arguments could be intense, but they rarely lasted forever. You could be fighting over a toy, accusing each other of cheating in a game or complaining about who got the bigger piece of cake. But the moment a parent started scolding both of you, the rivalry could disappear instantly. Suddenly, you were a team. That strange ability to fight with each other and still defend each other is one of the most memorable parts of growing up with siblings.

Sharing school supplies, even when you didn't want to

Forgot your pencil? Your sibling had one. Lost your eraser? Somehow, there was another one at home. Need chart paper for a school project at the last minute? The entire household suddenly became a stationery shop.

Older siblings often became unofficial suppliers of pens, notebooks, geometry boxes and project materials. Of course, borrowing something could also become another reason to fight when it wasn't returned.

Creating games out of almost nothing

Before smartphones became the default entertainment option, siblings had to create their own fun. A bedsheet could become a tent. Sofa cushions could become a fort. A corridor could become a cricket pitch. A cardboard box could become almost anything. The rules were usually invented halfway through the game, and someone was guaranteed to complain that the other person was cheating.

Those simple games often created memories that lasted much longer than the toys themselves.

Getting caught together when you were supposed to be asleep

There was always that moment when the lights were off, parents thought everyone was sleeping and the siblings suddenly started talking. One story became another. Then came laughter. Then someone remembered something even funnier. Some times, you shared horror stories.

The biggest danger was not getting caught talking. It was trying desperately not to laugh after one sibling said something ridiculous. Years later, those late-night conversations can become some of the memories siblings miss the most.