Srinagar: “ Raksha Bandhan”—a festival of bonding between brothers and sisters—was on Sunday celebrated in the Kashmir valley, where local women tied rakhis on the wrists of security forces who are posted away from their homes.
On this day, sisters tied colourful rakhis on the wrists of their brothers in the valley, including Srinagar.
Local women also tied rakhis on the wrists of security force personnel posted l in different parts of the valley.
In Srinagar a group of local women today visited CRPF camp of 144 Battalion at Boulevard on the bank of Dal Lake and tied rakhis on the wrists of the officers and soldiers.
On the occasion, the women exchanged sweets with the soldiers while the Jawans exchanged gifts with these women.
Speaking on the occasion, Ajay Verma, Second in Command said Raksha Bandhan is a festival to celebrate the bond between a brother and sister where brother takes the pledge to protect his sister.
He added that as the soldiers remain away from their homes so the local women today visited our Battalion and tied rakhis on soldiers’ wrists who reciprocated by giving away gifts to them.
He also expressed gratitude to the women who visited here and tied rakhis on their wrists and said they feel honoured by the gesture and affection.
The event was organized by CRPF 144 BN in collaboration with Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
Jammu
In Jammu Raksha Bandhan was celebrated with festivity on Sunday.
Amidst COVID guidelines and SOPs, the markets in various areas of Jammu city, witnessed hustle bustle.
The administration has lifted COVID restrictions and markets remained open, the shops witnessed rush of customers especially the major markets in the city.
“We have followed all COVID pandemic guidelines so that we happily celebrate the festival with much enthusiasm,” said Rohini, a housewife.
She expressed that last year, she made a video call to her brother and celebrated the festival with all rituals, adding, “though Corona pandemic threat is not yet over, we need to take all precautions and celebrate every festival by following guidelines issued time to time by the government.”
Ruchie, another housewife said, “let us be safe first. Following SOPs and guidelines like social distancing are in the interest of everyone.”
“We have to be very cautious and must stay away from rush and gatherings to prevent ourselves and everyone around,” she said adding that more faster people start living in new normal, quicker will be won the fight against Corona pandemic.
“We have visited the market to purchase the required items and found people following all guidelines in shops and malls, which is need of the hour,” she said.
“I am happy that my cousin visited to us with my aunt and uncle to celebrate the Rakhi,” Arya, 8, expressed adding that she missed sweets and celebrations with a bang but followed all SOPs and wore mask while tying ‘Rakhi’.
Meanwhile kite flying competitions like in other parts of the country, which are popular in Jammu city to mark the festival, was also organised at many locations.
Kites with slogans like ‘Go Corona Go’, ‘Corona ko Harana Hai’, also hit the stands and were seen flying high.
Police also appealed to the people not to use, manufacture and sale of Manja/Gattu (Chinese thread) as the Government has imposed a ban on it.
