Eco-friendly rakhis made by children with disabilities at Prajwal Vani Welfare Trust
Children with disabilities and their mothers participated in an eco-friendly Rakhi-making programme organised by the Prajwal Vani Welfare Trust at its Akkayyapalem Centre here on Thursday, ahead of Raksha Bandhan.
Children with intellectual and physical disabilities, as well as deaf children, took part in making the rakhis using pulses, seeds and other natural materials. Flax, pumpkin, sunflower and cucumber seeds, along with groundnuts, were creatively incorporated into the rakhis.
Spices such as cinnamon, cloves, star anise and bay leaves were also used to make the rakhis attractive while ensuring that they remained natural and environmentally friendly.
The programme aimed to celebrate the bond between siblings while spreading awareness about environmental protection and sustainable practices.
The seed-based rakhis can be tied to plants or trees after Raksha Bandhan, allowing the seeds to serve as food for birds and contribute to the local ecosystem. Rakhis made with spices can be reused at home, further reducing waste.
The initiative seeks to demonstrate how traditional festival items can be transformed into sustainable, eco-friendly products without compromising their cultural significance.
As part of the programme, the children themselves made the rakhis. The Trust appealed to members of the public to support their creativity and encourage their efforts towards self-reliance and empowerment by purchasing the handmade products.
The eco-friendly rakhis will be available for purchase at the Trust’s Akkayyapalem Centre until the evening of August 27. Members of the public can visit the centre and purchase the rakhis directly from the children.
Volunteers willing to support the initiative can also participate and assist the children in making the rakhis.
Dr Suchitra Balakrishna, founder of the Prajwal Vani Welfare Trust, appealed to donors, volunteers and members of the public to encourage and support the talents, confidence and self-reliance of children with disabilities.
For further details, the Trust can be contacted at 9347973327.