KONDAGAON: The festival of Raksha Bandhan was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the 41st ITBP Battalion camp in Ranapal village, located in the Maoist-affected Mardapal area of Kondagaon district.

Local women from the area tied rakhis to the jawans, expressing their deep affection and respect. The heartwarming celebration not only symbolized the traditional bond between brothers and sisters but also conveyed a strong message of unity and belongingness to the soldiers stationed far from their homes.

In a special gesture, the women beneficiaries of the Mahtari Vandana Yojana also honoured the jawans by tying rakhis. Under this scheme, eligible women receive a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000, which has significantly empowered them.

Indu Baghel, one of the beneficiaries, emotionally shared, “Our Vishnu Bhaiya provides us with financial support through the Mahtari Vandana Yojana, so I don't have to ask my husband for money. He loves us a lot and supports us in all our troubles.”

Kondagaon Collector Kunal Dudawat and Superintendent of Police Y. Akshay Kumar, who also had rakhis tied to them by the women, highlighting the spirit of the brother-sister relationship.

Speaking on the occasion, Collector Dudawat remarked, “Raksha Bandhan inspires us to pledge protection. Our soldiers are dedicated to securing the region day and night, and their courage is exemplary.”

Superintendent of Police Y. Akshay Kumar added, “Our jawans are thousands of kilometers away from their homes, but today, the women of Ranapal made them feel loved and appreciated by tying rakhis.”

The event brought a sense of family and belonging to the jawans, easing the loneliness of being away from home. For Rukhmani Nag, an Anganwadi worker from Badekurusnar village, the occasion was particularly emotional. “I don’t have any brothers, but by tying rakhi to these brave soldiers, I feel like I now have many brothers,” she said, vowing to continue the tradition every year. The celebration was a touching tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of India’s brave soldiers.