As indicated in the opening words of the Constitution of India, “We the People of India” in its Preamble, all the citizens of India together constitute one nation. Every citizen constitutes part and parcel of the nation. However among substantial number of citizens belonging to various religions, there is inter se unity and the most important aspect of the inter se unity of each of the religions is the festivals, which they celebrate. This happens to be the great cementing factor for unity and feeling of fraternity inter se for each religious group.
However there is no common festival celebrated by all the citizens. Therefore, in the interest of unity and fraternity among all the citizens it would be of great help if all of us together celebrate one common festival. The festival, which merits acceptance as a common festival is “Raksha Bandhan” that falls on the full moon day in the month of August, which has no religious colour.
The sprit and the message of “Raksha Bandhan” is mutual love and protection. As a symbol of this message, sisters have been tying the ‘Raksha thread’ to their brothers and offering sweets. This festival of ‘unity’ should be accepted by one and all who together constitute this great nation and should be celebrated as a common festival. This festival strengthens the bond amongst all of us.
I therefore appeal to all the citizens to celebrate ‘Raksha Bandhan’ irrespective of one’s religion and sex and tie “Raksha thread” to one another and to as many individuals as possible as a symbol of mutual love and protection and make it the most powerful common festival which strengthens national unity and fraternity.
