Surat: As Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan is all set to be celebrated together this year on August 15, the markets and jewellery shops are displaying the colour of nationalism while representing the current political mood in the country.
Surat markets are attracting buyers as they are selling gold and silver rakhis portraying tricolour and map of the country. Also, rakhis with a theme of abrogation of Article 370 and 35A are being sold to give a “message of oneness and to praise the government for their efforts to bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir” into two Union Territories- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh- will come into existence on October 31.
Raksha Bandhan is a popular ceremony among Hindus where sisters of all age tie a ‘rakhi’ or amulet around the wrists of their brothers symbolically protecting them, receiving a gift in return, and traditionally investing the brothers with a share of the responsibility of their potential care.
“Every time, we come up with a unique theme to celebrate Raksha Bandhan . As the Centre has scrapped Article 350 and 35A, we decided to come up with a theme that signifies the importance of both days. Gold and silver rakhis are being designed in accordance with the customers’ choice and pocket. The silver rakhis range from Rs 500,” a jewellery shop owner said.
Meanwhile, Manoj Bhingare, a renowned mouth and foot painter, canvassed India’s map and used his skills to give a message of ‘One Nation, One Constitution and One Flag’.
Recently, Centre withdrew special status to Jammu and Kashmir and passed the Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganization) Act 2019, reorganizing the state into two Union Territories- Jammu and Kashmir with legislature and Ladakh without it.
