150 blind girls tie Rakhi to jawans

Pune, Aug 13 (UNI) In a unique event to celebrate Independence Day and the Rakhsha Bandhan festival, 150 blind girl students of the NFBM Jagruti Blind School for Girls Alandi, handed over the national flag, and tied rakhis made by them to around 50 jawans of the Indian Army at a function here today.

The novel event, organised by the city-based Vijaykumar Devraji Mehta Charitable trust, turned out to be an emotional affair for the men in Khaki, who had tears in their eyes as the girls tied rakhis and applied 'tikka' to their foreheads.

Overcome with emotion, Naib Subhedar Suresh Tomar of the Rajasthan Regiment said, ''It is after 16 years that someone has tied a rakhi, I'll cherish this moment for ever.'' While, for six year old Mohini, it was the first experience of tying a Rakhi. Smiling broadly, she said she was happy that she had a brother now, without even realising whom she had tied the rakhi to.

The girls and the army men later had lunch together, where the girls also sang songs for them.

Explaining the rationale behind the programme, Vijaykumar Mehta, Chief Trustee of the foundation said the blind girls wanted to honour the jawans, who selflessly guard the country and don't even have the time to celebrate festivals like Raksha Bandhan with their families.

The trust, later presented gifts to the jawans and Solapur Chaddars to all the girls.

UNI DWN SR RL RAI1934