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Women trainees at BHU craft rakhis for soldiers at border

Women trainees at BHU craft rakhis for soldiers at border

Time of India07-08-2025
Varanasi: Women at the sewing centre of Banaras Hindu University's Integrated Rural Development Centre, Faculty of Social Sciences, crafted 'Raksha Sutra' (protective threads of Rakhi) for soldiers stationed at the border, celebrating the sacred bond of
Raksha Bandhan
.
"As soldiers stationed at the border cannot reach home for Raksha Bandhan, these women made a commendable effort to ensure their wrists do not remain bare," said Prof Alok Kumar Pandey, the coordinator of the centre. He said that the women receiving training in sewing and embroidery at the centre created 'Raksha Sutra' for the brave soldiers to celebrate Raksha Bandhan.
According to him, under the guidance of instructor Aarti Vishwakarma, these women are being well-trained in sewing and embroidery, enabling them to stand on their own feet and support themselves and their families.
Bhupendra Pratap Singh, the project officer of the Integrated Rural Development Centre, said that many women who received training here have opened their own centres and are also training others. These women are provided with work from time to time, allowing them to earn an income.
So far, thousands of women from rural areas have received training here and are earning income by opening their own sewing centres, training centres, and other establishments in various locations.
Instructor Aarti Vishwakarma said, "We have taught thousands of rural women sewing, embroidery, and knitting, and with this training, they have created various beautiful rakhis. The rakhis will be presented to the brave soldiers stationed at the border. It is a matter of great pride for the women receiving training that the rakhis they made will be gifted to the brave soldiers." She said that the main contributors to making the rakhi include Anita Kumari, Mahima Maurya, Pinky Pandey, Neelu Kumari, Divya Shukla, Kumari Nidhi, Jyoti Patel, Swati Patel, Roma Singh, Anupam Devi, Soumya Bhardwaj, among others.
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