Dhanbad: In a unique initiative aimed at spreading awareness about environmental conservation, schoolgirls in Dhanbad celebrated Raksha Bandhan by making organic rakhis crafted from leaves, flowers, seeds and grains. The initiative was undertaken at the initiative of the district administration and education department.Students of BSS Girls’ High School prepared attractive eco-friendly rakhis using green leaves and flowers collected from trees and plants on their school campuses. They decorated the rakhis with colourful seeds and grains, many of which were brought from their homes. The students later tied these rakhis to deputy commissioner Aditya Ranjan, senior superintendent of police Prabhat Kumar and other district officials and teachers.The initiative was aimed at conveying the message that festivals can be celebrated without harming nature. Unlike conventional rakhis made with plastic threads, beads and other synthetic materials, the organic rakhis can be safely disposed of after the festival.Ananya, a student of BSS Girls High School, said, “The rakhis will not last for a long time, but that is precisely their environmental advantage.”After drying, the rakhis can be placed in flowerpots or mixed with soil. The seeds embedded in them can eventually germinate and give rise to plants. She said she and her classmates jointly prepared the rakhis.District education officer Abhishek Jha said deputy commissioner Aditya Ranjan had suggested the concept to promote environmental awareness. “Following the idea, we encouraged students to make organic rakhis with the support of teachers,” he said.Jha appreciated the creativity and hard work of the students, saying the initiative provided a meaningful way to celebrate Raksha Bandhan while delivering a strong message of environmental protection.
