HSS Raksha Bandhan message: Protection for each other’s growth

The festival of Raksha Bandhan is a symbolic festival to send to the members of a society that they have a duty to protect one another. This has to begin with oneself: tying a Raksha Sutra (Rakhi) around one’s wrist serves as a reminder for us to honour our moral duty of protecting our family and country.
Tying Rakhis has long been a tradition of HSS, much like anywhere else in the Hindu world – but with a difference. Traditionally, Rakhis are tied on the wrists of a brother or ‘protector’ by a sister or someone considered to be a sister, and the former swears to protect the latter.
Importantly, Rakhis are also traditionally offered by leaders to other leaders to offer protection to each other. In Guyana, this would be akin to the leaders of the different parties vowing to protect each other and therefore the entire society.

For HSS members (Swayamsevaks and Sevikas), it is a little different.
They have a duty to protect not only sisters, or relatives, but their community (Samaj) and country as well – a duty to protect Dharma. And this leads directly back to the core of HSS’ “Service to Humanity”. “It’s as if we are all in a boat, which we all have a duty to protect. Should someone bore a hole in the boat, we would all perish.” The responsibility to protect therefore lies with each of us, equally.
To symbolise its duty to our nation and Dharma, the HSS’ Bhagwa Dhwaj (flag) and Golden Arrowhead (National Flag of Guyana) are always hoisted and both tied with Rakhis by its members and other citizens to demonstrate their duty to protect our beloved country.
Modern Rakhis tend to be decorated with multi-coloured silk thread, beads or stones. The female wing of HSS conducted a virtual session to make Rakhis using locally sourced materials, which turned out to be a success. Traditionally, the Rakhis are blessed with sacred verses or consecrated in rice or grass before being offered. These customs ensure that the tie both protects and removes sin from the wearer, a shield which is said to last for one year. During the offerings, prayers are made for prosperity and happiness, and once the Rakhi has been tied, a mantra may be chanted.
The Hindu Sywamsevak Sangh continues with its mandate to preserve Dharma, foster better social relations, instil discipline, promote culture and preserve traditions through these programmes, regular Shaka (value transmission) sessions and addressing issues of concern of the nation.
We once again celebrate Raksha Badhan with the hope that the significance of the Rakhi extends from brothers and sisters to husbands and wives, teachers and students, neighbours and all citizens of Guyana alike. Happy Raksha (Unity and Protection Day) Guyana. Let us be reminded of our motto: One People, One Nation, One Destiny.