Raksha Bandhan 2020: Women self-help groups in Chhattisgarh made rakhis out of cow dung and seeds

Under Bihan Yojana, 100 women belonging to 20 self-help groups in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh made special rakhis and sold them online.

Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh

In Chhattisgarh, unique rakhis made out of cow dung and seeds grabbed a lot of attention ahead of Raksha Bandhan that was celebrated on August 3, 2020.

The women of the group were taught rakhi-making at the multi-utility centre at Chhati village in Dhamtari district under Bihan Yojna of the National Rural Livelihood Mission. About 100 women belonging to 20 groups in Nari village of Kurud and Chipali of Nagri Block were engaged in rakhi-making.

“For nearly two months since the complete lockdown is over, these women of the group have been making these rakhis for this year’s Raksha Bandhan festival,” said Namrata Gandhi, CEO of Dhamtari district panchayat. “About 60 women in the district are engaged in this and made more than 10,000 rakhis,” Namrata informed Gaon Connection.

The women of the Bihan group who made these unique rakhis not only got back to employment but also earned quite well. Over seven thousand rakhis, out of the 10,000 made by them, were sold and the group earned more than Rs 5.26 lakh through the enterprise.

These rakhis, sold for anywhere between 10 to 200 rupees, were put on sale in Dhamtari and Raipur districts. It was also sold online under the National Rural Livelihood Mission.

“These rakhis were put up at stalls for sale in Raipur and Dhamtari districts. We have also received orders from the big cities like Mumbai-Delhi and from Khadi Gram Udyog,” informed Namrata. “We are also marketing it online,” she said. Their goal was to make 25,000 rakhis by Raksha Bandhan festival, she said.

Earlier, these women made ornaments like bamboo earrings, tops, bangles, necklaces using bamboo and traditional tools in the village. These fascinating ornaments made of bamboo craft have always been in demand. This time, however, these women made rakhis from bamboo, dung, and seeds.

According to Namrata, the self-help group women made four varieties of rakhis. The first, by placing seeds in dung and securing it with bamboo. These can later sprout a plant. The second variety is made up of bamboo and silk and the third kind is of bamboo and crochet work. The fourth kind of rakhi is made for a pair and is called Kumkum-Akshat rakhi.

Other than this, Vedic rakhis made out of bamboo, sandalwood, turmeric, kumkum, and silk, carrying the heady aroma of Chhattisgarhi soil, were widely appreciated.

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