"Not just a protective thread but a symbol of India's cultural unity": Uttarakhand CM Dhami extends Raksha Bandhan wishes

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], August 9 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended his wishes to the people of the state on the festival of Raksha Bandhan on Saturday. He urged them to pledge to honour and protect women on the occasion.
"Heartfelt congratulations and affectionate best wishes to all the people of the state on the sacred festival of Raksha Bandhan," Dhami said in a post on X.
"The rakhi tied by sisters on their brothers is not just a protective thread but a symbol of India's cultural unity, family values, and sacred relationships. Let us, on this occasion, all pledge to honor and protect women," he said.
Dhami on Friday announced a free travel facility for women in the buses operated by the Uttarakhand Transport Cooperation on the eve of Raksha Bandhan, stated a release. He also highlighted the state's continuous efforts on women's empowerment.
"The dream of a prosperous Uttarakhand cannot be fulfilled without empowering women. We expect the people of the state to cooperate in the creation of an ideal society for the empowerment of women and their progress," the CM had said.
Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi, is a traditional Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. On this occasion, sisters tie a rakhi around their brothers' wrists, and in return, brothers offer gifts as a symbol of love and protection.
Meanwhile, the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has introduced floral biodegradable rakhis.
These biodegradable rakhis are a unique and eco-friendly product made of natural and dried flowers and plant material.
NBRI Director Ajit Kumar Shasany, on Thursday, said that the initiative was taken for women's empowerment. He added that the institute came up with the idea to convert its floral art into biodegradable rakhis.
"This concept has come up as we were making floral crafts in NBRI. We were doing it for women empowerment. A few days ago, we got an idea that we could convert the floral art into environmental friendly rakhi. We give various shapes to dried flowers. It is eco-friendly," Ajit Kumar Shasany told ANI.
These floral rakhis are available at the Institute campus for Rs 50.
Sharing an X post, CSIR-NBRI wrote, "Celebrate a Green Raksha Bandhan with CSIR-NBRI's Biodegradable Floral Rakhis! Crafted with love, tradition & sustainability by empowered women. Available for Sale | Rs 50 only Sale Section, Gate No. 3, Botanic Garden, CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow." (ANI)