Children tie rakhis to Prez, PM on Rakshabandhan

New Delhi, Aug 9: Rakshabandhan, the festival of affection and commitment when sisters tie rakhis to the wrists of their brothers, was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety in the capital today.

Women of all ages tied rakhis and offered sweets to their brothers as a sign of their immortal bond.

Children from various schools and organisations in Delhi tied rakhis to President A P J Abdul Kalam, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the occasion.

Children from various areas in Delhi as well as the National capital region visited the Rashtrapati Bhawan and tied Rakhi to the wrist of President A P J Abdul Kalam.

The children also visited the Vice President's house at 6, Maulana Azad road this morning and tied rakhi to Mr Shekhawat. Among those who tied rakhi to him were handicapped children from Astha Special School in Alwar and children from the SOS Village and other social organisations.

On this occasion, the children recited to Mr Shekhawat poems on national integration and Rakshabandhan.

Children from various schools of Delhi as well as from the Brahmakumaris and Balmiki Vikas Samaj visited the Prime Minister's residence at 7, Race Course road and tied rakhi to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Also present on the occasion was the Prime Minister's wife Gursharan Kaur.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that the message of rakhshabandhan would spread to every nook and corner of the country.

Sweets were distributed on the occasion.

UNI