Gandhinagar: In a touching tribute to India’s brave soldiers, over 53,000 Anganwadi sisters from Gujarat have handcrafted and sent more than 3.5 lakh rakhis to the nation’s armed forces ahead of Raksha Bandhan. This unique act of patriotism and affection has not only strengthened the symbolic bond between civilians and the armed forces but has also earned Gujarat a prestigious place in the India Book of Records.
In a ceremonial event held in Gandhinagar, the Raksha Sutra Kalash – a symbolic vessel containing the rakhis – was formally presented to representatives from the Indian Army, BSF, CRPF, and NDRF in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
Heartfelt Tribute to India’s Protectors
Led by the Women and Child Welfare Department, this initiative was conceived as a gesture of love and respect from the women of Gujarat to the jawans stationed far from their homes during festive occasions.
Bhanuben Babariya, Minister for Women and Child Welfare, expressed pride in the initiative and said:
“Our Anganwadi sisters have sent these sacred threads not just as a token of Raksha Bandhan, but as a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the brave soldiers of our country who protect us day and night. This is our way of blending patriotism with tradition.”
She further acknowledged the Indian Armed Forces’ success in Operation Sindoor, calling it a defence of Indian culture and values, and said this Raksha Bandhan, Gujarat’s sisters are expressing gratitude for that protection.
State Recognized for Record-Breaking Effort
In recognition of this large-scale, community-driven initiative, Gujarat was awarded a place in the India Book of Records. Officials from the organisation presented a certificate and medal to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, celebrating the state’s effort to connect emotion with action on a national scale.
The Chief Minister praised the dedication and sentiment behind the initiative, calling it a symbol of Gujarat’s strong cultural values and patriotism.
Participation from Defence Forces and Officials
The ceremonial handover saw the participation of soldiers from multiple forces, including:
- Indian Army
- Border Security Force (BSF)
- Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
- National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
Also present at the event were:
- Dr. Vikrant Pandey, Secretary to Chief Minister
- Rakesh Shankar, Commissioner, Women & Child Development and Secretary to Government
- Dr. Ranjit Kumar Singh, Commissioner, ICDS
Senior officers from the Women and Child Welfare Department, Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation, and Anganwadi workers
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Cultural Symbolism Meets National Pride
The initiative, themed “Ek Rakhi Desh ke Jawano ke Naam”, reflects a powerful blend of Indian traditions, women’s empowerment, and respect for the armed forces. On the full moon day of Shravan, sisters across Gujarat reached beyond borders – both geographical and symbolic – to let the soldiers know they are remembered, loved, and honoured.
