Former Environment Minister and Speaker Rajendra Arlekar was present for the function along with Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida and Mormugao MLA Milind Naik along with Chairman of Ravindra Bhavan Baina, Sanjay Satardekar.
Incidentally, Rajendra Arlekar is also the President of Chaitanya Pratishthan.
In a unique concept, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, school children of 27 schools presented rakhis from schools collectively to be given to soldiers on the line of control (LoC) through Chaitanya Pratishthan.
Chaitanya Pratishthan is an NGO who has been organising this event for the last 5 years and the programme organised is to establish a relationship with the jawans and soldiers battling their lives along the LoC to save our nation.
"The very fact that soldiers are being remembered by innocent students or elders of Goa on Raksha Bandhan is a huge morale booster for the soldiers."
"This event was usually organised only in Panaji on a big scale but this year onwards we decided to have this event at the taluka level. Last year alone we sent 25,000 rakhis of which 7000 rakhis we have collected from students and common citizens of Panaji in a big scale at a function held in the presence of the then Raksha Mantri Manohar Parrikar at Panaji.We will be sending all these rakhis to Delhi in two days through FOGA," said Arlekar while speaking exclusively to The Goan.
On the occasion, students tied the rakhi to the dignitaries on the dais as part of Raksha Bandhan celebrations.
"It is sad that the youth of today's India are not aware of Vijay Diwas and today even intellectual citizens of the society feel that it's the primary duty of the soldiers to die for us. Today, the sacrifice done by a soldier becomes a subject of debate on national television," said Arlekar at the function.
"There would be a huge crowd if the function was an orchestra or a musical show but this type of events does not draw audience and hence it is necessary to conduct more functions like this frequently showcasing the struggles and sacrifices of our soldiers through schools," he further said.
Sanjay Satardekar, chairman of Ravindra Bhavan, Baina spoke in Hindi at the event.
" Hindi is our national language and I am attempting my speech in Hindi. We are blessed that our soldiers are fighting on borders to make our lives easy. The soldiers on duty are sometimes not even aware of festivals happening outside their arena and we must make use of such events to connect with them," said Sanjay. Sanjay ended his speech by singing the first few lines from a famous patriotic song "Har karam apna Karenge aye Vatan Tere liye" along with the students.
Both Vasco and Mormugao MLAs took the opportunity of this event and stressed the need of students and schools to take up the initiative of Swachh Bharat from grass root levels.
Speaking on the occasion, Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida said that while we live comfortably with the latest gadgets and amenities, our soldiers are battling their lives to protect our boundaries in the most harshest weather conditions.
"On a trekking trip to Leh Ladakh last year we had to take the help of oxygen cylinders but our jawans are on duty at such high altitudes without oxygen."
"Today on this occasion, when so many students are present let's take a pledge to do everything we can for our armed forces. We must develop patriotism amongst children and coax them to join the armed forces," said Carlos.
Speaking on the occasion, Mormugao MLA Milind Naik said that doing extraordinary events for the nation through unique concepts has always been the forte of the Arlekar family.
"Our soldiers have been there for many years and we always remember them on various occasions but this is an excellent way of giving back our love and care to the jawans fighting at the border."
"Today we are a powerful nation and our self respect in terms of strength is provided by the armed forces. Programmes like this will instill the much necessary idea of Nation First amongst students who are the future of our nation. We have to stand unitedly with the armed forces against any situation that may arise and be ready to sacrifice our lives for the nation," said Milind.
Anagha Arlekar compered the event and the vote of thanks was given by Prashant Narvekar. The programme ended with submission of rakhis and the singing of Vande Mataram by the students of Vaddem Nagar school.
