Raipur: A Raksha Bandhan programme in Raipur brought together women, school students and security personnel in a gesture of gratitude and solidarity ahead of the festival. At the ‘Sneh Ki Dor’ programme at Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium, around 800 personnel from central forces, the Army and Chhattisgarh Police received rakhis from schoolgirls, specially-abled girls and women associated with self-help groups and community initiatives.
The programme also became an occasion for Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai to reiterate the state government’s support for families of security personnel who have died in the line of duty.
Martyr’s Wife Ties Rakhi to CM Sai
One of the central moments of the programme came when Madhuri Verma, wife of Sub-Inspector Yugal Kishore Verma, tied a rakhi to Chief Minister Sai.
Yugal Kishore Verma was killed in a Naxal encounter in 2017, shortly before Raksha Bandhan. Sai paid tribute to the late officer and said the families of martyrs remain part of the state’s wider family.
The Chief Minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to standing with such families and respecting their dignity and sacrifice.
Around 800 Security Personnel Receive Rakhis
Personnel representing several security organisations participated in the programme, including:
- Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
- Border Security Force (BSF)
- Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
- Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
- Indian Army
- Chhattisgarh Police
School students, specially-abled girls, Swachhata Didis, Drone Didis, Lakhpati Didis and women from self-help groups tied rakhis to the personnel as a gesture of appreciation for their service.
Sai Links Naxalism-Free Chhattisgarh With Women’s Security
Speaking at the event, Sai said that progress towards ending Naxalism in Chhattisgarh would provide greater security and confidence to women in the state.
He referred to the sacrifices made by security personnel during the fight against Naxal violence and said the goal was to reach a situation where families would no longer have to fear losing loved ones to such violence.
The Chief Minister also emphasised the importance of remembering the sacrifices of security personnel and supporting their families.
Programme Brings Raksha Bandhan and National Service Together
The ‘Sneh Ki Dor’ event connected the traditional symbolism of Raksha Bandhan with recognition of the role played by security personnel.
The participation of women from different community groups also highlighted the programme’s focus on expressing appreciation for personnel serving away from their families and in challenging conditions.
Security personnel, in turn, expressed their commitment towards the protection and safety of the women who participated in the programme.
Focus on Women’s Security and Empowerment
The event also featured references to the state’s broader efforts concerning women’s security and economic participation.
According to the government-linked account of the programme, Chhattisgarh has more than 2.42 lakh women self-help groups, with around 30 lakh women associated with them. The state also reported that 13.85 lakh women had become Lakhpati Didis under the Lakhpati Didi initiative.
The programme concluded with an emphasis on national unity, respect for security personnel and the role of citizens in maintaining social harmony.
For Chhattisgarh, the event combined a Raksha Bandhan tradition with a public acknowledgement of the sacrifices of security personnel and their families.
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