Message of harmony & peace spreads across city as Kolkatans celebrate Rakhi 2018

Kolkata: The state government on Sunday observed Sanskriti Dibas to celebrate the occasion of rakhi.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "Heartiest greetings to all my brothers and sisters on the occasion of Rakhi Bandhan. Inspired by the ideals of Rabindranath Tagore, we observe this day as 'Sanskriti Dibas' in Bangla."

The state Sports and Youth Affairs department organised a programe at Rashbehari intersection, under the leadership of local councillor Mala Roy. Roy tied rakhi on the wrist of Chandrima Bhattacharya, minister of state for Health, to inaugurate the programme. The message of harmony was spread through the event.

Bhattacharya said Trinamool Congress does not observe Sanskriti Dibas, keeping its eyes on elections. The festival has been celebrated since Trinamool came into being and through it, the party intensifies its ties with the people.

"Tagore had given the message of harmony through rakhi in 1905 and keeping it in mind, Trinamool observes the day to spread the same message. BJP and CPI(M) are forcibly observing the occasion. However, the response of people is lukewarm," Roy said, adding: "CPI(M) did not observe the festival when the party was in power for 34 years in Bengal. Now, they are doing it after seeing Trinamool."

Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, state Power minister, took part in a rakhi celebration event in New Alipore and gave the message of harmony and peace.

Medical Bank observed the day as school children tied rakhis on the wrists of 5,000 people, to spread the message of awareness against dengue. The programme started from Sobhabazar in the morning. Later, the volunteers of Medical Bank, along with the school children, tied rakhis on the wrists of people at important crossings like Bhowanipore, Tollygunge and Bansdroni.

School children also took part in processions to spread the message of harmony and peace. Partha Chatterjee, Trinamool Congress secretary general, said: "It is Bengal's culture to uphold the message of peace and harmony. We do not divide society on the basis of religion, caste or creed, like some other parties. People from time immemorial have appreciated Bengal's message of peace and harmony."

Taking a dig at BJP, he added: "Now, there are rakhis on the hands of those who take out rallies with weapons. Do they even understand the meaning of rakhi?"