Rakhi for Soldiers 2023: Threads of Love, Ties of Patriotism

Samskruti Foundation’s Nation-Building Initiative Honoring India’s Armed Forces

Raksha Bandhan — a celebration of love, protection, and gratitude — holds a special place in every Indian heart. But for the men and women in uniform guarding our borders, it often passes quietly as they stand watch, far from home.

To bridge this emotional distance and honor their selfless service, Samskruti Foundation organized the “Rakhi for Soldiers 2023” initiative — a heartfelt campaign that united students, educators, and citizens across India in a shared act of love and respect for our Armed Forces.

A Festival of Gratitude, Beyond Family Boundaries

The 2023 edition of Rakhi for Soldiers saw over 800 students from 26 higher education institutions physically tying rakhis to more than 2,000 soldiers across Army, Air Force, and Navy units in Hyderabad, Telangana, and beyond.

In total, 15,000 rakhis were handcrafted and sent to soldiers posted at border locations, accompanied by letters of gratitude from students across India.

The event, which has grown into a flagship national program of the Foundation, was graced by Hon’ble Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, Governor of Telangana and Lt. Governor of Puducherry, who inaugurated the celebration at Raj Bhavan, Hyderabad, by tying a rakhi to Lt. Gen. K. Ramachandra Rao (Retd) and Major General Rakesh Manocha, SM, VSM.

“This noble initiative by Samskruti Foundation beautifully symbolizes our nation’s gratitude towards the protectors of our borders.I congratulate all the students and volunteers for strengthening the bond between citizens and soldiers,”— Hon’ble Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan

The Spirit of Raksha Bandhan, The Strength of a Nation

What began as a simple idea — students sending rakhis to soldiers — has evolved into a movement of national solidarity. The Rakhi for Soldiers campaign reminds young Indians that patriotism is not confined to uniforms but expressed in gestures of empathy, unity, and gratitude.

Female students from engineering, degree, and management colleges across Telangana and other states participated enthusiastically — crafting rakhis, writing messages of love, and delivering them personally to soldiers stationed in cantonments such as EME Centre, AOC Centre, MCEME, Hakimpet Airforce Station, and Begumpet Airforce Base.

A Nation United in Emotion

The events were marked by touching moments — smiles, tears, laughter, and heartfelt words exchanged between students and soldiers.As students tied rakhis and applied kumkum, they conveyed deep respect and gratitude for the soldiers’ service, while the soldiers expressed joy and pride at being remembered by their “sisters” on Raksha Bandhan.

At each venue, students also engaged in dialogues with officers, learning about military life, discipline, and national duty — lessons that left a lasting impression.

From Aurora’s Technological Institute to Malla Reddy Colleges, from CMR College of Engineering to Vivekananda Government Degree College, every participating institution became a beacon of love and respect for the armed forces.

Words that Touched Hearts

“This event taught us that soldiers are not just defenders of our borders — they are protectors of our dreams.”— Student participant, HRD Degree College, Hyderabad

“It felt like tying a rakhi to an elder brother who stands guard for all of us.”— Participant, BVR Institute of Technology

Rakhi for Soldiers Across India

Beyond Telangana, the initiative extended its reach to naval commands in Mumbai, Kochi, and Visakhapatnam, and to forward areas in Jammu and Kashmir, where Rakhis and handwritten letters were delivered to soldiers through postal campaigns and collaboration with local defense units.

In total, over 11,000 Rakhis were collected through college campaigns and mailed to units across India, ensuring that every soldier, even in the remotest post, felt the warmth of civilian affection.

Building Bridges Between Soldiers and Citizens

The Rakhi for Soldiers initiative is part of Samskruti Foundation’s larger mission to reconnect India’s youth with cultural values and civic responsibility.By celebrating Raksha Bandhan with soldiers, students experienced the essence of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — “The world is one family.”

The campaign also embodies the Foundation’s commitment to nation-building through culture, complementing other flagship programs like Yoga for Youth, Vivek Band, and National Science Day.

A Word of Gratitude

Samskruti Foundation expresses heartfelt thanks to all the colleges, volunteers, defense personnel, and coordinators who made the 2023 edition a grand success.

Special appreciation goes to the organizing team:Lt. Col. Swarna Reddy, Sri T. Rambabu, Dr. Vivek Modi, Lt. Col. Neerada Krishna, Smt. Anupama Shah, Sri DK Madhukar, Kum. Annapurna, and the dedicated members of the Cultural Leadership Centres (CLCs) across India.

“The love shared through these threads will continue to inspire unity and purpose in every heart — soldier and civilian alike.”— Dr. Vivek Modi, Director, Cultural Leadership Centre, Samskruti Foundation