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Visually impaired girls in Pune make 'rakhis' for Indian army soldiers
Pune , Tue, 09 Aug 2011 ANI
Pune, Aug 9 (ANI): The visually impaired girls in Maharashtra's Pune city on Tuesday made sacred thread commonly known as 'rakhis' for soldiers in the Indian Army ahead of the Hindu festival of 'Raksha Bandhan', which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters.
The festival will be celebrated all across the country on August 13 this year.
The students expressed their joy at being able to make the festival memorable for the soldiers.
"We are happy that the rakhis made by us will be worn by our brothers in the army, who protect our country," said Bharti Tapkir, a student at the Home for Blind Girls.
The girls used various coloured threads, beads and ribbons for the rakhis, relying on their sense of touch to execute their work to perfection.
They appealed to their 'brothers' in the army for protection.
"Just as brothers protect their sisters, I would ask our soldiers to protect us and our country," said Purnima Shelke, another student.
The teachers helped them to choose the colours for their sacred threads and other material.
They encouraged the girls to have faith in their potential.
"Our School's Secretary, Dr Rajni Indulkar, says these girls must never look at their disability as a hindrance. They should be confident enough to take care of themselves," said Archana Sarnobat, a teacher.
Raksha Bandhan occupies a special place in the Hindu religious calendar.
The central ceremony involves the tying of a rakhi (sacred thread) by a sister on her brother's wrist. This symbolizes the sister's love and prayers for her brother's well being, and the brother's lifelong vow to protect her. (ANI)
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