Raksha Bandhan Celebration at Vivekananda Kendra Headquarters

Raksha Bandhan was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Vivekanandapuram, the Headquarters of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, on 19th August 2024. 150 people attended the celebration, including staff, ITBP personnel, and karyakartas.

Raksha Bandhan, celebrated on the Pournima of the Shravana month, is a traditional Hindu festival that honors not only the deep bond between brothers and sisters, but also the duty and supreme sacrifice for the protection of the country and the nation. It enhances love, protection and family bondages.

The celebration began at 7.45 a.m. immediately following the regular Geeta Pathan at the Dhyan Mandir. Sri Krishna Kumar ji, a Vanaprasti Karyakartha of Vivekananda Kendra, shared insights on the significance of the day in brief. After this, the sister karyakartas tied rakhis to the brother karyakartas. Aadaraneeya Sri H. Angiras ji (lovingly called Mamaji), a senior Jeevan-vrati Karyakartha of Vivekananda Kendra, also graced the occasion and blessed the attendees.

Around 8:30 a.m., all the staff of the Headquarters, along with VKV Kanyakumari staff, gathered at the Tribute Wall in campus for further celebrations. Presence of 25 Personnel from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) added a unique dimension to the event. Smt. Selva Meena, a teacher from VKV Kanyakumari, spoke about the significance of the day, after which the sisters tied rakhis to the ITBP personnel and other brothers. Sri Leo Mathews Kurian, the Commandant from the ITBP, expressed his heartfelt joy at being part of the celebration.

A small programme for the celebration for the staff of the Administrative Office of Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Vivekananda Kendra, was also conducted later. Rakhis were tied to the staff of the Administrative Office, and sweets were shared, spreading joy and strengthening bonds.

The Raksha Bandhan celebration at the Headquarters reaffirmed the cultural and traditional values of Bharat, fostering a profound sense of unity and togetherness among all participants. The act of tying rakhis to the ITBP personnel symbolized the deep respect and gratitude we hold for our soldiers who selflessly serve the nation.

In all the functions, the main message delivered was we should not just be contented with stories from the Puranas or history, instead we should interpret the significance in the present situations. We need to have strong determination to work for the safety of Mother Bharat by remembering our Kartavya and acting without deviating from it. As we are tied rakhi, we should also be bound by the values that make us individually and collectively good and great.