Members of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (UK), a local Hindu group, along with West Yorkshire Hindu Police Association (WYHPA) celebrated the annual Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan with the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire John Robins and other senior police officers.
Raksha Bandhan is a festival that promotes duty of care, the obligation to serve those in need, and celebrates the relationships we hold dear to one another. The festival is steeped in history. It is a symbol of the vow of protection of the family and to that of the whole community. It is a celebration of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakum, ‘the whole world is one family.’
Members of HSS (UK) tied a Rakhi – a cotton thread that symbolises the universal oneness to serve and protect each other, to the Chief Constable and other police officers present. They also offered sweets as part of the ceremony.
Vrati Desai, a volunteer at HSS (UK) beautifully described the significance of the festival. She focussed on the importance of Raksha Bandhan in strengthening family relations, and also our duty to protect one another.
Image: HSS
Dharmesh Mistry, Current Chair of the WYHPA thanked West Yorkshire Police for their continued support especially during major festivals such as Navratri.
Chief Constable John Robins thanked HSS (UK) and WYHPA for organising the celebration and inviting him. He commended the work of HSS (UK) in Bradford and across the UK in promoting good values, serving others without personal gain and developing a positive community spirit.
HSS (UK) has been promoting the essence of this this festival as a symbol that an amicable and harmonious social life is where all members of the society look upon themselves as one family.
