School kids send 60,000 handmade rakhis to soldiers

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Students from over 150 schools across northern India have sent about 60,000 handmade rakhis as a mark of their love, respect and affection to soldiers on the occassion of Raksha Bandhan.

The festival falls on August 13.

Fevicryl Hobby Ideas, a property of of Pidilite Industries, rallied and partnered with children from over multiple schools, and joined hands with the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) for the initiative.

"We are happy to partner with the kids in this wonderful initiative which expresses our love and gratitude for the armed forces troops posted in border areas," Rahul Sinha, president, Consumer Products Art Stationary and Fabric, Pidilite Industries, said in a statement.

Under the guidance of experts from Fevicryl Hobby Ideas, the children were taught how to make attractive rakhis through one month-long workshops.

In the capital, a mass drill was mobilised for this unique cause where over 18,000 students from over 55 schools including Army School, Guru Harkishan Public School, DAV School, underwent a workshop to create innovative, artistic and unique handmade rakhis.

The workshops were also organised in cities like Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur. All the rakhis have been handed over to members of AWWA, who would make sure they reach the army men at the borders.

Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond of love between brothers and sisters. On the occasion, a sister ties a rakhi on her brother's wrist. The brother gives the sister gifts and vows to protect her.