Boys in Children's and Observation homes keep making Rakhis so that some sister elsewhere could cement bonds with her brother.
Published Aug 29, 2023 | 2:35 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 29, 2023 | 7:46 PM
Rakhis made by the children. (Supplied)
“Are you here to tie me a Rakhi,” the boy clutching a fistful of Rakhis asked, his eyes lighting up with anticipation and hope. The boy was looking for a connection — to the outside world.
He has made several Rakhis that some sisters would tie around the wrists of their brothers in an everlasting bond, oblivious of the creator, who would let the Raksha Bandhan pass with a naked wrist. He will make more such amulets before the Poornima thithi (full moon day) of the month of Shraavan — or Sawan.
He was not alone. The boys at Hyderabad’s Children’s Home were all busy, chattering among themselves while making the talisman that siblings would use to cement their relationship.
Met with silence, the 11-year-old boy asked again: “Are you here to tie me a Rakhi? Nobody ever tied one for me.” His wry smile spoke volumes.
His friend, however, was upbeat. “I have made 12 Rakhis.” He expressed hope that his sister one day would visit him with a Rakhi. Others with him, too, shared the hope: of wearing new clothes, sharing sweets with dear ones, and proudly sport the Rakhis hugging their wrists.
The boys in the Children’s Home and Observation Home are children in need of care and protection; and then there are children in conflict with the law — and most will see Rakhsha Bandhan pass with wilted hopes.
Despite the harsh truth they face, the children were enthusiastically making the Rakhis. Some private institutions often — but not always — facilitate the Rakhsha Bandhan celebrations in the homes.
The children are clued in. A few days ago, they had celebrated with loud cheers and applause the soft landing of Chandrayaan-3. Some of the Rakhis they made reflected India’s success on the Lunar South Pole.
One boy, known to surprise all with childish mischief, looked busy making more Rakhis than his friends, “This is the first time I am making Rakhi’s, and I have perfected it,” he said.
The child then taught South First how to make to Rakhis. “It’s easy. Take the wooled threads, twist them twice, reverse, and knot them,” he demonstrated.
“Now, stick the coloured stickers, and they are good to go. I can make them next year too,” he reminded without stating explicitly that he could be found in the home next year too.
Rakhsha Bandhan holds particular importance for these children who miss their families due to circumstances such as trafficking or falling in conflict with the law. The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), through its programmes ROOTS and Rekkalu, is providing a nourishing environment for them.
Over 300 creative Rakhis were made in various Children’s homes as part of this initiative. Employees of the homes buy several of these Rakhis. Some are sold to outsiders who are interested.
Josephine Anthony, assistant professor and Project Director of ROOTS and Rekkalu, highlighted the comprehensive approach of the programmes.
“Our activities focus on psychosocial intervention, vocational education, and skill development,” she stated. The programmes aim to eliminate trauma, stabilise the children, and enable them to dream and aspire for future career opportunities. This involves individual counselling, group therapeutic intervention, family tracing, vocational training, and more, she explained.
The children’s sentiments mirrored the deep emotional impact of the Rakhi-making event. “I felt good making Rakhi’s. My younger sister sometimes visits, and I want her to tie a Rakhi as she would have when I was home,” a child beamed.
His friend was not that upbeat. He missed his sister, “My sister died a few months after birth. I miss her,” he unsuccessfully fought tears welling up in his eyes.
Suresh (name changed) has charted his course of action.
“We are partners in crime,” he pointed at his friend. “We indulged in something wrong. Our behavior is being monitored, and we were sent to the Children’s Home. We wish to return home and go to school. I want to become a police officer. He wants to join the Army,” he nodded at his friend.
Syed Afzal Shah Ali, superintendent of an observation home, explained the efforts being put in to ensure the basic needs of the children, and training imparted to prepare them for a life beyond the home.
“The children here are known as Children in Conflict with the Law (CCL) and we cannot allow them to interact with outsiders other than their parents or lawyers. It can be Rakhi, or Deepawali, the children come up to me asking for bail so that they could be with their families,” he said.
“We look at the cases, if the conditions apply, grant them a permit to go home. There are over 68 boys here and their strength differs each day. We celebrate every festival, The Muslim boys observe fast for a month. The Christmas celebrations begin on 20 December every year,” he said.
The home looked more secular than the outside world.
The authorities are planning to impart more vocational training, such as weaving, carpentry, tailoring and air-conditioner repairing, to the children in the coming days. They are also monitoring the children who had left the home.
Meanwhile, the children were racing to make more Rakhis, hoping that someone would someday tie a Rakhi around their wrists.
