Kashmir women secure bond with soldiers

Vadodara: For decades, Armymen deployed across the militant-infested Valley had to face the wrath of misguided locals, but among them were those Kashmiris who did not forget to pray for the safety and well-being of Indian soldiers who risk lives to protect the country.This Rakshabandhan, in a unique heart-warming gesture, hundreds of Kashmiri women including Muslims have sent rakhis for their brothers in uniform.Sanjay Bachav, a teacher, who has been sending rakhis regularly to the Indian army for the last eight years, has sent 50,000 rakhis to Army jawans this year too. For the first time, he has received over 200 rakhis sent by Kashmir women this year“They haven’t just sent rakhis in exchange for a promise for protection but wished for the soldiers’ safety and long life. It is a significant gesture from the Kashmiri women who admire the defence forces despite the region's conflict. I have sent all their rakhis to the Indian Army posts,” said Bachav, a teacher at Baroda High School, Bagikhana.Today, the teacher is supported by hundreds of women, students, and professionals who send him their love in a string and Bachav dutifully couriers them all to six different army posts across the country, even at the Siachen!“Many of the rakhis that I got from Kashmir also had the Tricolour to celebrate 75 years of India’s Independence. Valley may be a conflict zone, but patriots in Kashmir also wish well for our country and the defence forces. The rakhis that I got from Kashmiri women say it all,” Bachav told TOI.“I got rakhis not just from India but from more than a dozen different countries too. They (soldiers) are away from their families to guard our country. Thus, we want to ensure they don’t miss the festivals. It’s a satisfying moment when some of the soldiers call up or message after tying the rakhis we send,” Bachav added.