Bhubaneswar: Amid the growing outrage over rape-murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, President Droupadi Murmu on Monday urged every citizen of this country to reaffirm the pledge to ensure safety and respect for women, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
“This festival, based on the feeling of love and mutual trust between brothers and sisters, instills a feeling of affection and respect towards all sisters and daughters. I would like that on this festival day, all the countrymen take a pledge to ensure the safety and respect of women in our society,” she posted on X.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also greeted people on the similar lines. “On this auspicious occasion, let us commit to uphold the dignity and respect of women, fostering an enabling environment where they can thrive and fully realise their potential,” he posted on X.
Raksha Bandhan, commonly known as Rakhi, is a traditional Hindu festival dedicated to the love and bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters tie a rakhi around their brothers’ wrists. Rakhi symbolises a sense of protection. Instances of sisters tying rakhi around their brothers’ wrists for protection also find mention in Hindu religious texts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings on the occasions and tweeted: “May this holy festival bring new sweetness in the relationships of all, and happiness, prosperity & good fortune to everyone’s lives.”
Stating that the auspicious day is also celebrated as ‘Gamha Purnima’, the birthday of Lord Balabhadra, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi wished that this festival, which symbolises love, devotion and protection, makes everyone’s life better and strengthens the sacred bond between brothers and sisters.
Since this is last Monday of the holy month of ‘Sawan’, noted sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sculpture of Lord Shiva on Puri sea beach to wish people on Raksha Bandhan. “May Lord Shiva bless all brothers and sisters,” he wrote.
