New Delhi: This year, rakhis prepared by the women of the Gadia Lohar community will be seen on the wrists of brave Indian soldiers, who are posted across Ladakh, including the Galwan Valley.
The women take pride in the fact that their ancestors used to make weapons for Maharana Pratap, who fought against Mughals, and now they are making Rakhis for their soldier brothers so that they remain safe and sound in battle.
Gadia Lohar community's connection with Maharana Pratap
The story of Gadia Lohar community, which once used to make arms and ammunitions for Maharana Pratap and his soldiers, is quite interesting. They are considered as the community of Maharana Pratap, who gave a befitting reply to the Mughal invasion in Rajasthan. Bullock cart is their house and Johari, which involves iron in making various types of tools and other stuff including kitchen wares. That is why they are called Gadia Lohar.
The people of this community used to make swords, horseshoes and other weapons for the army of Maharana Pratap. It is said that when Maharana Pratap took on the Mughals and lost Mewar, the people of Gadia Lohar community, who were part of his army, took a vow not to return to their motherland till they do not succeed in reinstating Maharana Pratap as the king of Mewar by defeating the Mughals. It is said that the people of Gadia Lohar community have not entered the fort of Chittor since then and lead the life of nomads.
5,000 rakhis to be sent
The women of Gadia Lohar community, living in Nand Nagri locality in east Delhi, said they are making rakhis for the jawans posted on the border. They bemoan that they have to lead the life of nomads as they have no work while their ancestors used to make weapons for the army of Maharana Pratap.
These women have got the support from the Sewa Bharti Sansthan in making Rakhis for the jawans guarding the border. They said that they are making 5,000 rakhis for them for which they were trained by the volunteers and experts of Sewa Bharti Sansthan.
Women skilled in the art
The women from the Gadia Lohar community are skilled in the art and hence very fast in adopting and implementing new skills. Rajshri of Sewa Bharti Sansthan said that since these women are good in art, they did not require much training in making Rakhis. Only a little bit of guidance has led to wonders as they are making beautiful Rakhis.
Rajshri said that Chinese goods are being boycotted in the country after the Galwan face-off. Because of this, we have trained the women of Gadia Lohar community to make Rakhis, which will be sent to the borders for our brave soldiers.
These women are working day and night to ensure that their brave soldier brothers from the Galwan Valley to Leh have Rakhis on their wrists made with their sisterly sweat and love, a unique gesture of expressing solidarity with our brave jawans guarding the border.
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