Poonch, August 28,2026- Poonch sisters celebrated Raksha Bandhan with Indian Army soldiers deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch, in a heartfelt gesture of respect and gratitude.
Local sisters celebrated Raksha Bandhan with Indian Army soldiers deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch, in a heartwarming display of gratitude and affection for the personnel who guard the nation’s borders. Organised under the banner of the Seema Jan Kalyan Samiti, the sisters tied rakhis on the soldiers’ wrists, applied tilak, and prayed for their long and healthy lives.
A Celebration Beyond Blood Ties
The event brought together women and young girls from border villages of Poonch, who travelled to meet soldiers stationed at forward posts along the LoC to mark the festival with them. For these families, many of whom live in close proximity to the border and share a deep bond with the Army due to years of coexistence in a sensitive and often challenging terrain, the celebration carried special significance.
The sisters performed the traditional rituals associated with Raksha Bandhan — tying rakhis on the soldiers’ wrists, applying tilak on their foreheads, and offering sweets, all while praying for their safety, well-being, and long lives. In return, the soldiers extended their heartfelt gratitude and blessings to the sisters, reaffirming a bond built on years of trust and mutual respect between the local population and the armed forces stationed in the region.
Role of the Seema Jan Kalyan Samiti
The event was organised under the aegis of the Seema Jan Kalyan Samiti, a border-area welfare organisation known for facilitating community engagement initiatives between residents of border villages and security forces. The Samiti has, over the years, played an active role in fostering goodwill and cooperation between the Army and local communities living in proximity to the LoC, organising similar events during festivals and other significant occasions.
Members of the Samiti noted that such initiatives go beyond ceremonial celebration, serving as an important bridge between civilians residing in sensitive border areas and the soldiers tasked with their protection. They added that these interactions help build long-term trust and mutual understanding, which is particularly valuable in a region where the Army’s presence is deeply intertwined with the daily lives of border residents.
A Bond Forged Along the Border
For soldiers deployed at remote and often isolated forward posts along the LoC, the celebration offered a rare and meaningful opportunity to experience the warmth of a festival that many of them are otherwise unable to observe with their own families. Several personnel expressed appreciation for the gesture, noting that the affection shown by the sisters provided a welcome reminder of home during their demanding deployment.
Army officials present at the event welcomed the initiative, describing it as a reflection of the strong civil-military bond that has developed over the years in the border areas of Poonch. They noted that such gestures play an important role in boosting the morale of troops stationed in difficult and often high-risk terrain, while also reinforcing the sense of security and trust felt by local communities living along the border.
Strengthening Ties in Border Villages
The celebration in Poonch is among several similar initiatives that take place annually across the border districts of Jammu and Kashmir during Raksha Bandhan, with residents of villages situated close to the LoC and the International Border extending festive greetings to soldiers stationed nearby. Such events have increasingly come to symbolise the unique relationship between border communities and the armed forces, built on years of shared experience, mutual support, and trust.
As the celebrations concluded, soldiers and sisters exchanged sweets and warm wishes, marking yet another instance of the enduring bond of protection and affection that defines the relationship between the Indian Army and the residents of Poonch’s border villages — a bond that continues to grow stronger with each passing year.