In 1998, Revathi Ganesan (now 87) had more than just an idea — she had a heartfelt impulse: to send rakhis to Indian Army personnel. It wasn't merely a gesture; it was an emotion tied with a thread. Ganesan is currently residing in Chennai, and for months, she has been working on “rakhi projects”.
For nearly three decades, she has been weaving threads of gratitude into handmade rakhis, each one a symbol of love and appreciation for the brave soldiers, who are safeguarding our borders, and because of whom we breathe, eat & sleep peacefully. Each packet she sends carries not just a thread but a piece of her heart —kungumam, vibhoothi, and a handwritten note, and a message to the jawans, “you are not forgotten”.
But what started this nearly 30-year-old tradition of Revathi?
Revathi is a native of Coimbatore. In 1998, the city witnessed a chain of bomb blasts. Revathi did not leave her house much, but was aware of the destruction, and also noticed the army personnel stationed across the city, which stirred a deep sense of gratitude within her. It was this moment when she decided to express thanks to the soldiers in a way that should feel personal — by crafting rakhis. That year, she personally tied rakhis on soldiers' wrists. She then recalls a young jawan, eyes brimming with tears, overwhelmed by the simple gesture. These moments cemented Revathi’s resolve.
Recalling the incident during a conversation with a media house, she stated, “In 1998, there was a chain of bomb blasts in Coimbatore. I didn’t realise how serious it was because I didn’t leave my house. But my relatives and friends told me that there was bloodshed in various places. I also started noticing the army’s peacekeeping personnel who were stationed across the city.”
“They sacrifice so much to keep us safe. This is my way of telling them they’re in our hearts,” she stated.
It all started with a few to 500 to 1,500 rakhis. This year, the number rose to 5,000. Revathi started the preparation of the handmade rakhis in the month of March, with some special children and her knowns extending a helping hand.
Even with the occasional help, the majority of the expenses are covered by Revathi and her Husband, with acquaintances and good Samaritans helping where possible. For Revathi, the expense is minimal compared to the joy of knowing her rakhis reach the soldiers who would otherwise feel the weight of isolation during the festivals. Revathi did have some worries about embracing the gesture over the Muslim and Christian soldiers, but a Navy friend put her worries to rest, saying how the Indian Army is a family, truly bound by duty and not divided by faith.
Revathi’s rakhi is more than a thread; it’s a prayer, a blessing, a reminder to soldiers stationed in far-flung posts, from the icy heights of Siachen to the scorching sands of Rajasthan, that their sacrifices resonate with a nation.
“I dream of a day when every jawan wears a rakhi from someone, somewhere, who values them,” she says.
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