Children from SOS Children’s Villages of India Tie Rakhi on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan to Doctors of AIIMS Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar : As a mark of their love and appreciation to the health care professionals for fighting COVID-19 pandemic, the children from SOS Children’s Village Bhubaneswar have tied Rakhis and given handmade cards to the Doctors of AIIMS Bhubaneswar on the eve of Raksha Bandhan.

Also known as Rakhi Purnima or Rakhi, which falls on the full moon day (‘purnima’) of the Shravana month of the Hindu solar calendar (August 22, this year), Raksha Bandhan is an age-old tradition of celebrating the sacred relationship of brothers and sisters. The occasion marks the tying of rakhi, a decorative thread, by sisters on the wrists of their brothers.

Amidst the pandemic, the children of SOS Children’s Villages of India – Bhubaneswar decided to make Raksha Bandhan a memorable one for healthcare professionals in the line of duty of treating COVID-19 patients. They made Rakhis and cards carrying words of love and gratitude, in hundreds, all by themselves and chose to tie them to the doctors, nurses, and the staff of AIIMS Bhubaneswar. The childrens gesture overwhelmed the entire team of AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

Mr. Sachidananda Mohanty, Medical Superintendent, AIIMS Bhubaneswar expressed his heartiest gratitude towards the children of SOS Children’s Village Bhubaneswar. He said, “We are glad to associate with the precious children’s of SOS Children’s Villages of India to tie Rakhi – a band of Suraksha to our doctors and the medical staffs for their remarkable contribution during these trying times and to celebrate the true spirit of “Surakshabandhan” during the ongoing pandemic. We hope that this activity will relieve stress, fear and divert the attention of our Doctors and medical staff who are protecting us ever since the pandemic hit us.”

All the doctors including HOD’s of Pediatric medicine, surgery and others are expressing their heartiest gratitude towards the initiatives of the children’s of SOS Children’s Villages of India and wish for their successful and happy life.

Mr. Sumanta Kar, Secretary General of SOS Children’s Villages of India: “Our children are well aware of the sacrifices the doctors, nurses, and administrators of hospitals make to save lives during the ongoing pandemic. Therefore, they came up with the idea of tying Rakhi’s and given handmade cards to medical professionals. Making rakhis and cards is an art in itself. It has brought out creative juices flowing in our children. The children also had an opportunity to understand the profound meaning of this age-old tradition, and to appreciate Indian culture.”