Sukma/Kanker/Bhanupratappur: Raksha Bandhan, the festival of brother-sister bonding, was celebrated with gaiety at various camps located in remote areas of Kanker district, Sukma district and other naxal affected areas on Monday.

Women beneficiaries of Mahtari Vandana Yojana and self-help groups wished for the well-being of the security forces personnel by tying ‘rakhi’. The young men became emotional when the sisters tied rakhi and they also presented gifts to the sisters promising protection.

Hina Gawde of village Bhuski in BSF 178 Battalion Bhuski located in Durgukondal development block of Kanker district tied Rakhi to the security forces personnel. Similarly, Kamila Netam of village Bhuski also expressed her feelings while tying rakhi to the BSF 178 Battalion. “The security forces personnel are deployed in the security of the country and the state away from their homes and families. In such a situation, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, it is the duty of our sisters not to let their wrists remain vacant.”

Rakhi was also tied to BSF Camp Kanhar village, SSB Camp of Kevati Cluster under Bhanupratappur Development Block and the jawans of 28th Vahini Sashastra Seema Suraksha Bal at Antagarh. Women also tied rakhis to the jawans on Raksha Bandhan at various places of the district including Kuhche Camp Antagarh, BSF Camp Pratappur of Koyalibeda Development Block, COB 162 Battalion BSF Camp Raoghat, and at the 22nd Battalion CAF "F" Company at Camp Paria in the Maoist-affected area of Sukma district.

Didi of Marvi Jyoti Sarita Self Help Group said, “The brave soldiers of our country are deployed thousands of kilometers away from their homes for our safety. They cannot even return home on the festival of Raksha Bandhan. It is a privilege to celebrate this festival with them.”

Ambika said that this year's Raksha Bandhan will forever be etched in our memories for a lifetime. “This is the first time that we tied rakhi to our security personnel. Our young brothers are not able to go home to their families, so we tied rakhis on their wrists and wished them a happy life. These jawans protect the people of the country at the borders, away from their homes and families. Young people are always ready for work. Due to this, they are not able to go home for many festivals. We are fortunate that we tied rakhi to brothers who are ready to protect us,” she adds.