Each woman took up the task of making ten handmade rakhis, and students from a local school also contributed by crafting greeting cards and rakhis for the soldiers
The women tied rakhis on the wrists of the jawans
It all began when the women of Samarpan Bharat, a group based in Dombivli, felt a strong desire to personally tie rakhis to the brave soldiers guarding our borders, especially those posted along the sensitive Jammu and Kashmir frontier. With this noble thought in mind, they reached out to Sangeeta Nashirabadkar, who immediately supported the idea.
Preparations began over a month in advance. Each woman took up the task of making ten handmade rakhis, and students from a local school also contributed by crafting greeting cards and rakhis for the soldiers. They decided not just to celebrate Raksha Bandhan, but also to explore the region and understand the life and sacrifice of the jawans. A 3-4 day trip was planned, with the team aiming to reach Jammu by 8th August.
With all preparations in place, the group reached Jammu as scheduled. The special Raksha Bandhan celebration was set for 9th August. Due to the sensitive nature of the location, details were kept highly confidential. At around 7:30 AM, a simple car arrived to guide the team. Following the instructions, their bus trailed the car, taking them to a highly secured area — Makwal, near the International Border.
Upon arrival, they were welcomed with refreshments under a decorated tent. Initially, only a couple of soldiers were present, which left the women feeling a little disappointed. But soon, they were led further ahead, right up to the actual border, where they were taken into a real trench (khandaak), the very place where soldiers keep watch day and night.
There, a deeply emotional Raksha Bandhan ceremony unfolded. The women tied rakhis directly onto the wrists of the jawans — a moment so powerful that everyone felt goosebumps. Being at such a high-security, sensitive location — where civilians are rarely allowed — felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and everyone felt deeply honoured.
They saw powerful surveillance cameras, radar systems, and even got a view of Pakistani posts just across the border. What made the experience even more special was that the soldiers present had all participated in Operation Sindoor, a significant military operation. The soldiers shared real-life stories from the mission, answered questions, and inspired everyone with their courage and dedication.
As a token of remembrance, each woman was presented with a special mug printed with the official emblem of Operation Sindoor, gifted by the soldiers themselves.
The soldiers, too, were overwhelmed with joy to see sisters from as far as Mumbai travel all the way just to express love, gratitude, and respect. It was a rare and emotional celebration of Raksha Bandhan, one that transcended words.
This unforgettable initiative by the women of Samarpan Bharat, led by Sangeeta Nashirabadkar, was not just a festival — it was a powerful message of unity, respect, and heartfelt patriotism.
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