Empowering Rural Women In 2025: How Khadi Rakhis Are Reviving Self-Reliance And Sustainable Raksha Bandhan Traditions

Raksha Bandhan is a festival of love and protection. Every year, sisters tie colorful rakhis on their brothers’ wrists, and in return, brothers promise to protect them. But this year, something different is happening. Some of these rakhis are not just threads of love but also symbols of empowerment, sustainability, and self-reliance.

These are Khadi rakhis, also known as Khadi Rakshasoot, launched by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. Introduced in August 2023 in New Delhi by KVIC Chairman Manoj Kumar, these rakhis are part of a larger movement to promote rural employment and revive India’s traditional crafts.

What makes these rakhis special is not just the fact that they are handmade. It is who makes them and how they are made that really matters. These rakhis are crafted by women living in rural areas, many of whom had little or no source of regular income before this initiative. By engaging in the making of Khadi rakhis, they now have a chance to earn money, support their families, and become financially independent.

The materials used are also worth noting. These rakhis are completely natural and chemical-free. Some are even made using cow dung and include seeds of basil, tomato, or brinjal. Once the festival is over, you can actually plant these rakhis in the soil, and they can grow into real plants. It’s a beautiful blend of tradition and eco-consciousness.

At first glance, this might seem like a small effort. But in reality, it fits into a much larger national vision, the dream of Atmanirbhar Bharat, or a self-reliant India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been encouraging people to support local artisans and products since 2014 through his radio programme Mann Ki Baat. One of the most important symbols of this campaign has been Khadi.

Khadi is not just a fabric. It is a reminder of India’s freedom struggle, where Mahatma Gandhi encouraged people to spin and wear their own cloth as an act of self-reliance. Today, Khadi is seeing a major revival. The Prime Minister calls it the "new Khadi of new India," not just clothing, but a weapon against poverty, unemployment, and inequality.

In recent years, Khadi has grown rapidly. In the last financial year alone, Khadi and Village Industries products generated more than ₹1.34 lakh crore in revenue. Even more impressive is the fact that over 9.5 lakh new jobs were created through these industries. These are not just numbers, they represent real people whose lives have improved.

For rural women, especially, this has been a game-changer. In many villages, women are often left out of the workforce due to a lack of opportunities or societal expectations. But with the Khadi Rakshasoot initiative, they can work from home or in small groups, using their hands and skills to create something valuable. The income they earn gives them a sense of independence and confidence.

KVIC Chairman Manoj Kumar said that Khadi is not just a cloth, but a symbol of our national heritage and pride. Today, with changing times, it is also a symbol of economic progress. By buying and using Khadi products, especially something as simple as a rakhi, we become part of a movement to uplift rural India.

There is also the environmental benefit. Most rakhis sold in markets are made of plastic and synthetic materials. These are often thrown away after the festival, adding to pollution. In contrast, Khadi rakhis are biodegradable. Some are even plantable, adding greenery to the environment. It’s a small step toward a cleaner and more sustainable way of celebrating festivals.

As we prepare to celebrate Raksha Bandhan, we often think about gifts, sweets, and the joy of family gatherings. But this year, we also have the chance to think a little deeper. What if your rakhi could change someone’s life? What if it could help a mother feed her children or send them to school? What if it could bring dignity to a village artisan who once felt invisible?

Choosing a Khadi rakhi is a small gesture, but it carries a powerful message. It says that you care, not just for your brother or sister, but also for your country, your environment, and the people who make our traditions come alive.

The Khadi Rakshasoot is more than just a thread. It is a symbol of hope, progress, and unity. It brings together the values of our past with the needs of our present. It reminds us that even a simple festival can be an opportunity to bring about real change.

So this Raksha Bandhan, as you tie a rakhi or receive one, think about the hands that made it. Think about the lives it supports. And think about how, together, we can build a stronger, more self-reliant India one thread at a time.

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