Mumbai: Handmade rakhis by civic school students, women’s groups draw strong response

Divyang children during the rakhi sale at BMC HQ. Pic/By Special Arrangement

Mumbai residents gave an enthusiastic response to a "special rakhi exhibition" organised by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) ahead of Raksha Bandhan. All the rakhis that were sold during the two-day sale at the BMC headquarters and administrative ward offices were handmade by civic school students with disabilities and women's self-help groups.

[popcorn number="August 24-25" desc="Days exhibition was organised" class="Default"]

A total of 2052 rakhis were sold, with total earnings made from the two-day sale standing at '51,190. The exhibition encouraged their talent, and the sales proceeds were given to the "divyang kids" of the civic schools.

A platform

Women self-help groups at a rakhi exhibition organised by the BMC. PICS/By Special Arrangement

The objective of the initiative was to create a market for products made by women's self-help groups while giving students from BMC's special schools a platform to showcase their creativity. The exhibition was organised under the guidance of Education Committee chairperson Rajeshree Shirwadkar, on the initiative and planning of Women and Child Welfare Committee chairperson Meenal Turde.

Official Speak

A BMC official
‘For the students, the biggest takeaway wasn't the cash register ringing. It was seeing strangers admire, choose, and buy something they had made with their hands. Each purchase effectively told them: your creativity has value, your work matters and your talent deserves a place in the marketplace'

Enthusiastic participation

The special rakhi exhibition saw several participants from SG Barve, Lions Juhu Centre, and Nare Park schools. Students from several other special schools also took part across administrative offices in wards such as M West and East, D, F North and South, G North and South, H East and West, K West, P South, R South and Central, F, L, N, S, and T.

Each day sales

The special rakhi exhibition was held on August 24 from 10 am to 6 pm and on August 25 from 10 am to 6 pm.

August 24: 1299 rakhis sold
Earnings: Rs 31,475

August 25: 753 rakhis sold
Earnings: Rs 19,715