Beyond Borders: The Untold Story of Revathi’s Handmade Rakhis for Our Soldiers

Every year, as Raksha Bandhan approaches, thousands of soldiers stationed at India’s most remote outposts receive an unexpected but cherished token from home—a handmade rakhi carrying messages of love, hope, and gratitude. The force behind this unique gesture is Revathi Ganesan, a Chennai-based artist and Rotarian whose deep empathy and creative spirit have touched the hearts of countless jawans for over 27 years.

A Tradition Born of Turbulence

Revathi’s journey began in 1998 in the aftermath of the Coimbatore bombings, which brought the Indian Army to her city as peacekeepers. Grateful for their protection and moved by their sacrifice, she led a local effort to tie rakhis on the wrists of these soldiers. An emotional exchange with a jawan—where he broke down as she tied the sacred thread—became the spark for an annual nationwide initiative.

The project evolved rapidly. What started with tying rakhis locally grew into the distribution of handmade rakhis to borders across India, with the very first cross-country shipment reaching the Wagah border courtesy of an unscheduled army chopper.

How the Rakhis Are Made and Sent

Revathi’s approach balances tradition with personal touch. Over the years, the effort expanded from several hundred rakhis in the late 1990s to over 5,000 kits sent in 2025. Each kit contains a rakhi, symbolic sachets of kumkum and vibhooti, and a Cadbury Eclair to withstand the long journey without melting.

Friends, schoolchildren, family members, and even Revathi’s 87-year-old aunt are involved in crafting the rakhis—each thread knotted with care, unity, and respect for the jawans’ diverse religious backgrounds.

Her husband leads the logistics, ensuring proper packing and timely shipment to the Indian Army, particularly those stationed at high-tension borders like the Line of Control.

The Personal Touches that Mean the Most

Revathi considers every element that will comfort and uplift soldiers—sometimes adding handwritten notes, small books of shlokas, or Hanuman Chalisa for spiritual strength, and each year, adapting to the needs and traditions of different regiments.

The thoughtful additions have found wide appreciation, especially among women soldiers, who have expressed gratitude for the personal, inclusive, and culturally resonant gestures.

The Financial and Emotional Commitment

While the local Rotary chapter lends support, most of the costs are quietly met by Revathi and her husband, aided occasionally by family and well-wishers. Over time, donations of beads, chocolates, and religious token items have helped scale the effort.

Revathi is keen to involve as many hands as possible and has expressed hope that the movement will only grow, ensuring every soldier feels the warmth of a national sisterhood during festival time.

Impact and the Road Ahead

The soldiers’ reactions are often tearful and overwhelmed—a reminder that these small tokens pierce through the harsh realities of border life, sending a powerful message that the country stands with them in gratitude and spirit.

Revathi’s simple yet profound initiative has not only bridged distances between civilian and soldier but sparked similar projects in other regions, magnifying the reach of this unique Raksha Bandhan tradition.

Source: The New Indian Express, Adyar Times