Diwali has traditionally been a 5-day festival in most tradition-abiding households across India. However, at the Rajasthan CM’s residence this year, Raksha Bandhan emerged as a competitor to the festival of lights.
Photo: X/@BhajanlalBjp
Diwali has traditionally been a 5-day festival in most tradition-abiding households across India. However, at the Rajasthan CM’s residence this year, Raksha Bandhan emerged as a competitor to the festival of lights.
Raksha Bandhan was celebrated on Saturday (August 9) this year. However, the festival began with a major event on Tuesday (August 5) for Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, his supporters, and women from different parts of the state, concluding on Saturday with a grand ceremony.
Advertisement
On Tuesday, the opening day of the mega event, a rare emotional moment unfolded — in contrast to the country’s otherwise negativity-filled politics — as Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari and Minister of State for Women and Child Development Manju Baghmar led 1.21 lakh Aanganbadi Behanas in celebrating Raksha Bandhan with Chief Minister Sharma by tying Rakhi to him.
Advertisement
The CM not only blessed his “sisters” for their safety and bright future, but also gave each of them a ‘sagun’ of Rs 501, along with a pack of sweets and gifts.
On August 6, CM Sharma invited the women functionaries and workers of the ruling BJP to celebrate with him the festival that affirms the bond of love and responsibility between brothers and sisters.
On August 7, women media persons tied rakhi to CM Sharma and shared light moments with him. The CM blessed his journalist sisters and presented them with ceremonial gifts.
Friday was a busy day for the Chief Minister, who spent long hours celebrating the festival with his “sisters”. In the morning, he visited the Apna Ghar ashram in the Jamdoli area of the Pink City to celebrate the festival with the sick and destitute women, elderly women, and specially abled girls.
Later in the afternoon, it was celebration time for the local women of Jaipur.
On Saturday, the designated day of the festival, an open-for-all opportunity was given to school and college girls, NGO workers, nurses, women doctors, lawyers, policewomen, and women from different parts of the state.
The Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) has been providing free bus travel to women on Raksha Bandhan day for almost two decades. However, this year the free rides will be available on August 9 and 10.
Advertisement
