Imphal/New Delhi:

Amid the situation in Manipur, women from the valley areas such as Bishnupur and Imphal East and hill areas of Kakching, Ukhrul, Kangpokpi and Leimakhong found a culturally inspiring way to express their solidarity and trust in the Indian Army and Assam Rifles by celebrating Raksha Bandhan, the army said in a statement.

This traditional festival, which symbolises the bond of trust and protection between brothers and sisters, took on a deeper meaning this year as women tied rakhis to soldiers, underscoring their belief in the role of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles as protectors, the army said.

The celebration of Raksha Bandhan in Manipur, particularly against the backdrop of the recent incidents, highlights the resilience of women in the region, the army said, adding the women have chosen to reaffirm their faith in the Indian Army and Assam Rifles. The act of tying rakhis to soldiers serves as a powerful testimony to the fact that the soldiers will safeguard all the communities and uphold peace, the army said.

Women in Manipur have historically played significant roles in their communities, often emerging as leaders during any crisis. Their participation in the Raksha Bandhan celebrations reflects not only cultural traditions but also a collective desire for security and stability, the army said.

The gesture of tying rakhis symbolises a deep bond and a reaffirmation of trust in the security forces.

This celebration of Raksha Bandhan in the current situation shows sentiments for peace and inclusiveness. By celebrating this festival, women are not only preserving their cultural identity but also asserting their legacy and their active role in the society and in preservation of peace and security, the army said.

Today’s celebrations and the rakhis tied by women signify a bond of trust that is transcendental, and it is a positive reminder that the population believes in the commitment of Indian Army and Assam Rifles in ensuring peace and stability.

The celebration of Raksha Bandhan by women of Manipur serves as a powerful symbol of hope and resilience and reflects their unwavering trust in the Indian Army to protect them. This act not only reinforces cultural ties but also embodies a collective aspiration for a peaceful future in Manipur, where the bonds of sisterhood and solidarity can thrive in all situations, the army said.

Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty shared a message on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan and explained how it is an “important festival” for her and the value a thread or rakhi holds. The Infosys Chairman’s wife also shared the story behind the festival, which sparked a debate on social media platform X, with users differing from her.

“Raksha Bandha is an important festival for me, where a sister ties a thread indicating that in case of any difficulty, you should always be there to help me,” she said in a video message posted on X.

Raksha Bandhan has a rich history. When Rani Karnavati was in danger, she sent a thread to King Humayun as a symbol of sibling-hood, asking for his help. This is where the tradition of the thread began and it continues to this day. pic.twitter.com/p98lwCZ6Pp

— Smt. Sudha Murty (@SmtSudhaMurty) August 19, 2024

The wife of the Infosys Chairman shared the story behind the festival and said, “It goes back to when Rani Karnavati (from the Kingdom of Mewar) was in danger her kingdom was small and under attack. She did not know what to do. She sent a small piece of thread to Mughal Emperor Humayun and said I’m in danger please consider me as your sister. Please do come and protect me.”

Ms Murty said, “Humayun did not know what it was…he asked what is this and the locals said this is a call of a sister to a brother…this is the custom of the land,” adding, “The emperor said okay if this is the case then I will help Rani Karnavati. He left Delhi but couldn’t reach there on time and Karnavati died.”

“This idea is when you’re facing a threat or in distress. A thread indicates that somebody should come and help me and it means a lot…” she added.

However, several users on X differed and said the story goes back to the time of Mahabharat and not post-medieval India. Users said, that during the time of Mahabharat, Lord Krishna inadvertently cut his finger while using the Sudarshan chakra to kill King Shishupal. Draupadi covered the wound with a piece of cloth. 

With absolute respect Madam, the origin of Rakshabandan dates back to the Mahabharata times.

Lord Krishna once accidentally cut his find on the Sudarshan Chakra. Seeing him injured, Draupadi tore a piece of cloth from her saree and tied it to stop the bleeding. Touched by her…

— D Prasanth Nair (@DPrasanthNair) August 19, 2024

Lord Krishna was touched by her deed and promised to keep her safe from any harm. During the Chirharan incident, when the Kauravas tried to shame and dishonour Draupadi, Lord Krishna appeared and protected her when no one else could.

There are several stories on the history of the festival including the story of King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi. King Bali was a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu and he took the responsibility to protect Bali’s Kingdom for which he left Vikundam. Goddess Lakshmi wanted to stay with her husband Lord Vishnu. 

She tied Rakhi on King Bali’s wrist on the full moon day called Shravana Purnima. It is believed that since that day onwards it has become a custom to invite one’s sister on Shravana Purnima to tie an auspicious thread of Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared a touching message for her brother Rahul Gandhi on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Priyanka posted on X a collage of childhood photographs featuring the siblings. One of the pictures had the brother-sister duo in the same frame as their late father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. 

Sharing her thoughts, Priyanka wrote in Hindi, “The relationship between a brother and a sister is like a flowerbed in which memories of different colours, stories of togetherness and the resolve to deepen the friendship flourish on the foundation of respect, love and mutual understanding.”

The collage also had a black-and-white image of Rahul and Priyanka enjoying playtime together in a small toy car. She added that brothers and sisters are “companions in struggle, companions of memories and also boatmen of companionship.”

“Happy Rakhi to all of you,” she wished. 

भाई-बहन का रिश्ता उस फुलवारी की तरह होता है जिसमें सम्मान, प्रेम और आपसी समझदारी की बुनियाद पर अलग-अलग रंगों वाली यादें, संग के किस्से-कहानियाँ व दोस्ती को और गहरा करने का संकल्प फलता-फूलता है।

भाई-बहन संघर्ष के साथी होते हैं, स्मृतियों के हमराही भी और संगवारी के खेवैया भी।… pic.twitter.com/4zkX1rISrN

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) August 19, 2024

Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi also posted a picture with his sister and extended his wishes for Raksha Bandhan, celebrating the “unbreakable love” between brothers and sisters. 

“Many congratulations and best wishes to all the countrymen on the festival of Rakshabandhan, the festival of unbreakable love and affection between brother and sister. May this thread of protection always keep your sacred relationship strong,” the Congress MP wrote on X. 

भाई-बहन के अटूट प्रेम एवं स्नेह के पर्व, रक्षाबंधन की सभी देशवासियों को बहुत-बहुत बधाई और शुभकामनाएं।

रक्षा का यह सूत्र आपके इस पावन रिश्ते को सदैव मजबूती के साथ जोड़े रहे। pic.twitter.com/Xvsqj2rt4e

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 19, 2024

This year, Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi, falls on Monday, August 19. This traditional Hindu festival honours the unique and special bond between siblings. On this auspicious day, sisters tie a sacred thread, known as a rakhi, around their brothers’ wrists. This gesture symbolises the brothers’ promise to safeguard their sisters from harm and adversity. In return, brothers present gifts to their sisters as a token of their love and care. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also wished the nation on this special occasion. “May this holy festival bring new sweetness in the relationships of all of you and happiness, prosperity and good fortune in life,” he wrote.

A teacher, from Bihar’s Khagaria district, was suspended after a video of him complaining about the school officials who decided to cancel Raksha Bandhan’s holiday went viral.

The teacher, who has been identified as Sunil Kumar, took out his frustration on the department officials after his sister had to travel from Bhagalpur to Khagaria (roughly 90 Km) to tie rakhi.

In a bid to make up for the loss of teaching days, department officials have decided to curtail the number of school holidays on important festivals in the remaining five months of the year.

The incident came to light after a Twitter page of Bihar Shikshak Manch shared a video of Mr Sushil. In the clip, he can be seen criticising the additional chief secretary of the Bihar Education Department KK Pathak as his sister ties a rakhi inside the school premises.

The video was shared on August 31, along with the note that read, “After the cancellation of the Raksha Bandhan holiday of the employed teachers in Bihar, a teacher’s sister reached Mathurapur school in Khagaria from Bhagalpur crying and tied a rakhi to her brother, while the teacher was seen taking out his frustration.”

बिहार में नियोजित शिक्षकों का रक्षाबंधन की छुट्टी रद्द होने के बाद एक शिक्षक की बहन रोती हुई भागलपुर से खगड़िया के मथुरापुर विद्यालय पहुँची अपने भाई को बाँधी राखी,शिक्षक भाई ने निकाली भरास . pic.twitter.com/ZU5QnJlsIl

— बिहार शिक्षक मंच (@btetctet) August 31, 2023

An official order, dated September 1, stated that Mr Kumar has been suspended from his duties. In addition, for making indecent and objectionable statements towards the higher officials, the teacher also faces departmental action. The notice also mentioned that his salary payments would be blocked with immediate effect.

Raksha Bandhan was celebrated on August 30 and 31.

Raksha Bandhan is the celebration of the unique bond between siblings. While it is celebrated with much zeal across the country, it is not uncommon for hectic schedules and work commitments to keep loved ones away from each other on the day of the festival. One sibling duo got the opportunity to celebrate the festival on a flight. Yes, Shubha,  an IndiGo Airlines cabin crew member got to celebrate the festival with her brother Gaurav, who was the pilot.

A video of the heartwarming moment shared on X [formerly Twitter] shows Shubha tying the sacred thread on Captain Gaurav’s wrist and the pilot touching her feet. 

The video begins with Shubha making a special announcement to passengers before the flight takes off. “In a profession like ours, it is not that every year we get to celebrate festivals and special moments with our loved ones back home, because it is important for us to take you back home so you can celebrate with your loved ones,” she says on the flight interphone system, adding, “That’s why, today is a very special day for me and my brother Gaurav, who is on board today to make sure that we celebrate Raksha Bandhan together after many years.”

With Captain Gaurav standing next to her, she adds, “Like all brothers and sisters, we also laugh and cry, play and fight, but he’s my rock, my best friend, my shoulder to lean on.” To this, the passengers begin applauding as Shubha proceeds to tie the rakhi on her brother’s hand.

The tweet by IndiGo says, “At 30,000 feet or on the ground, the bond of a brother and sister remains special. A heartwarming moment on board today as our Check Cabin Attendant Shubha celebrates Rakhi with her brother Capt. Gaurav.”

At 30,000 feet or on the ground, the bond of a brother and sister remains special.
A heartwarming moment on board today as our Check Cabin Attendant Shubha celebrates Rakhi with her brother Capt. Gaurav. #HappyRakshaBandhan2023#HappyRakhi#goIndiGo#IndiaByIndiGopic.twitter.com/WoLgx8XoIa

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) August 30, 2023

Replying to the post, one user wrote, “Some might envy the job of the cabin & flight deck crew for their glamorised work profile. But nobody envys them for their odd working hours….nobody envys them when they are on the jobs, come rain, come shine, or festivals when all of enjoy at home. KUDOS to every crew member!”

Some might envy the job of the cabin & flight deck crew for their glamorised work profile. But nobody envys them for their odd working hours….nobody envys them when they are on the jobs, come rain, come shine, or festivals when all of enjoy at home. KUDOS to every Crew member!

— Sanjeev P. Ghanekar (@sanjeevghanekar) August 31, 2023

“This is unbelievable, the bonds between brother & sister is unimaginable, no matter where we are. Proud to be an Indian,” wrote another.

This is unbelievable, the bonds between brother & sister is unimaginable, no matter where we are. Proud to be an Indian. https://t.co/ybELgakHGB

— Raj Nayak (@RajNaya50858983) August 30, 2023

“Truly heart-warming,” read a comment.

Very Nice
Happy Rakshabandhan https://t.co/XDLQnVmnOFpic.twitter.com/aO2kEahdtt

— vinod (@grrnage) August 31, 2023

Tell us what you think of the video.

Cuttack, Odisha:

Upholding the order of a trial court, the Orissa High Court on Wednesday sentenced a man to 20 years of imprisonment for repeatedly raping her sister and impregnating her when she was 14.

Rejecting the appeal of the convict, Justice S K Sahoo also slapped a fine of Rs 40,000 on him. In default, the convict shall undergo rigorous imprisonment for another two years.

The judge lamented that he had to adjudicate such a case on the day of Raksha Bandhan.

“It is both shocking as well as ironical to hear this case and render judgment on an auspicious day when a brother takes the solemn pledge not only to protect his sister but also to nurture her till his last breath,” Justice Sahoo observed.

The man was earlier convicted by the Malkangiri special judge’s court for repeatedly raping his younger sister between May 2018 and May 2019 in their village.

He was also convicted in January 2020 for threatening his sister not to disclose it to others. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Delhi Metro will be running around 106 extra train trips on its corridors on Wednesday to facilitate passengers on the festival of Raksha Bandhan, officials said.

Additional Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) personnel will also be deployed at stations to cater to the extra rush of commuters by operating additional ticket counters, they said on Tuesday.

If required, additional standby trains will also be kept for induction into services to clear the rush, officials said.

Passengers are requested to use DMRC Travel Mobile App to buy QR code-based tickets to avoid rush at ticket counters, they said.

Guards and customer facilitation agents will be deployed at major metro stations to help and guide commuters, the DMRC said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)