Revathi Ganesan: Crafting Unity Through Thousands of Handmade Rakhis for the Indian Army
In a vibrant Chennai home adorned with Thanjavur art, 70-year-old Revathi Ganesan is engaged in a unique endeavor. Instead of painting on canvases, she crafts rakhis for the soldiers stationed at India's borders. For nearly 30 years, Revathi has been handmaking these rakhis and sending them to the Indian Army, accompanied by small blessings and sweets, as a sincere gesture of appreciation.
Revathi's initiative began in 1998 following the Coimbatore bomb blasts. Seeing Indian Army personnel deployed in her city for peacekeeping spurred her desire to express gratitude. As the head of a community project through her Rotary Club that year, she decided to tie rakhis for the jawans. “They were safeguarding us so we could sleep soundly. This was my way of showing gratitude,” she recalls.
In her first year, she tied rakhis directly to the soldiers — an experience that sparked a lifelong commitment. She vividly remembers a soldier who was moved to tears and another who searched his pockets to offer her something in return.
Over the following years, her rakhis reached distant locations, including the Wagah border. An unexpected opportunity arose when an unscheduled army helicopter delivered her parcels straight to the soldiers there. Initially concerned whether soldiers of different faiths would accept the rakhis, she was reassured by a Navy friend who told her that “the Indian Army has no religion.”
Revathi's project has expanded significantly over the past 27 years. What started as 500 rakhis has grown to a remarkable 5,000 this year. She begins crafting them in March and receives help from school children, teenagers, her 87-year-old aunt, and even a child with special needs.
Each rakhi packet contains more than just the thread. It includes kungumam, vibhoothi, and Cadbury Eclairs — “the only chocolate that doesn’t melt,” she notes with a grin.
Her husband oversees logistics, ensuring the rakhis reach various Army locations nationwide. Although the Rotary Club provides some assistance, the couple covers most expenses themselves, with occasional support from friends and well-wishers.
Revathi is convinced that her rakhis are more than mere threads; they symbolize unity, respect, and affection for the armed forces. “One day, I hope to send a rakhi to every jawan so each of them understands how much they are appreciated,” she shares.
Individuals interested in supporting her mission can contact Revathi at 9042944171.
