By Arindam Ganguly, OP
Bhubaneswar: The festive mood in Bhubaneswar is picking up ahead of Raksha Bandhan celebrations Friday. This year, the celebration is also emphasising something beyond the traditional thread of affection — stories of rural artisans who are giving Rakhis a distinct identity.
The Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) has set up a special Rakhi stall at Patia area, offering an opportunity to explore products made by rural artisans and small producer groups.
The collection displayed at the ORMAS stall includes rakhis made from sabai grass, kaaincha, paddy, bamboo and cowrie shells. Designs featuring Lord Jagannath and traditional Pattachitra motifs add an unmistakable identity to the festive threads, said ORMAS additional CEO Geetanjali Behera.
The initiative not only offers consumers an alternative to conventional rakhis but also creates a direct market for rural women, artisans and producer groups. The growing demand reflects an increasing preference for handmade and personalised products.
The rakhi market in City has changed significantly over the years. Traditional silk-thread rakhis now share space with personalised, cartoon-themed, gemstone, stone-studded and premium designer varieties.
Customers rush to shopping hubs including Unit-I market looking for clothing, jewellery, accessories and festive gifts. Rakhi sellers across the City are also offering products at different price points to suit a wide range of buyers.
Gift stores and food outlets are offering special customised hampers, cakes, chocolates, dessert boxes and sweets. Sellers are also adding a local traditional touch by pairing rakhis with delicacies such as Puri Khaja, Tipa Gaja, Arisa Pitha, Rasagola and Kora Khai. The initiative binds together the festivity with state’s rich food traditions.
Through its ‘Safety Pact’ campaign, State Transport Authority (STA) has launched an initiative through which brothers and sisters can visit the Transport department website, enter their names and generate a personalised certificate pledging to encourage responsible road behaviour.
In Puri, Odisha Patita Udhara Samiti (OPUS) organised a special rakhi stall for beneficiaries of the Beggars’ Rehabilitation Centre under SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise), a central scheme. The initiative highlighted the transformation of people who were once dependent on begging and are now pursuing dignified livelihoods.