Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Air India Crew’s Mid-Air Rakhi Turns Passenger Into Viral Brother
Sudhanshu Kaushik was traveling on an Air India flight during Raksha Bandhan.
Raksha Bandhan is a festival where people tie a special thread called a rakhi.
A flight attendant named Apurba Dewan tied one around Kaushik’s wrist.
Another crew member recorded the moment.
Kaushik joked that the attendants had made him their brother.
He posted the video with the words “Happy Rakhi.”
The video became popular online very quickly.
People also joked about a passenger who appeared to be sleeping in the background.
Dewan later said that Kaushik had volunteered to receive the rakhi.
Indian-American writer Sudhanshu Kaushik received a rakhi from an Air India flight attendant on August 28.
The celebration took place aboard the flight at approximately 30,000 feet during Raksha Bandhan.
Kaushik shared a video in which he joked that the crew had “bro-zoned” him.
Flight attendant Apurba Dewan later commented that Kaushik had volunteered to receive the rakhi.
The video gained more than 200,000 views in less than 20 hours and inspired humorous reactions.
- Who
- Indian-American writer and youth rights advocate Sudhanshu Kaushik, Air India flight attendants including Apurba Dewan, and online viewers.
- What
- A flight attendant tied a rakhi on Kaushik’s wrist during an Air India flight, and he shared a video of the moment.
- When
- August 28; the video received more than 200,000 views in less than 20 hours.
- Where
- Aboard an Air India flight at approximately 30,000 feet.
- Why
- The rakhi was tied as part of the Raksha Bandhan celebration.
Unexpected Bro-Zoning
Voluntary Rakhi Celebration
How the moment began
Unexpected Bro-Zoning
Kaushik’s video presented the event humorously as the entire flight crew deciding to “bro-zone” him.
Voluntary Rakhi Celebration
Apurba Dewan commented that Kaushik had volunteered to have the rakhi tied, suggesting he willingly participated.
- Festival
- Raksha Bandhan
- Date
- August 28
- Airline
- Air India
- Altitude
- Approximately 30,000 feet
- Video reach
- More than 200,000 views in less than 20 hours
- Flight attendant
- Apurba Dewan
- Kaushik’s work
- He founded the Young India Foundation and wrote The Future Is Ours: The Political Promise of India’s Youth.
