by Father Sunil Pinto for BISMumbai

A ‘Rakhi’ (a piece of decorative thread) holds great emotional and religious significance. This festival celebrates the ‘bandhan’ (bond) between siblings, ensuring protection and stability. This festival celebrated by people across different faiths is associated with deep sentimentality.

Every year, at Bosco Boys Home, the boys wait eagerly for this festival wherein groups of students, volunteers, NGO’s visit the institute to tie a Rakhi on the wrists of the boys while imploring the blessings of the Divine upon them. This year witnessed low-key celebrations citing the various restrictions due to the Pandemic. However, a group of women from ‘Nashabandhi Mandal’(Maharashtra Unit) and ‘Disha Pratishtan’- an organisation headed by Disha Kalambe wanted to make this day special for the boys. While ensuring all safety measures were in place, they performed an Aarti for the boys and tied a Rakhi on their wrists. They prepared special home-made coconut sweets for the boys.

BBH staff member Datta Gade, applauded the group of women for the work they silently undertake to empower women and children while also conducting camps and programmes to reform alcoholics/addicts. Kalambe said, “I am deeply touched by the work that happens in this institute, and I wish the boys the very best in life. They have no sisters today to tie a Rakhi on their wrists but we want them to promise to treat women equally while championing their rights.”

BBH Vice-Rector and Administrator Father Diego Nunes presented Kalambe and her team with a memento. Some of the boys who prepared hand-made cards gave it to the women with deep gratitude.The entire event was also covered by a local news network https://youtu.be/RV94Rgiw22I