Children tie 'rakhi' to President

NEW DELHI: A group of children from Vrindavan, who are on their way to borders to meet soldiers on the occasion of 'Raksha Bandhan', on Saturday  tied 'rakhi' to President Pratibha Patil here.

About 50 children, some of them dressed like the mythological Krishna and Yashoda, from the 'Vatsalya Gram' met Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan where they presented her sweets and flowers.

The President said 'Raksha Bandhan' festival displays India's unique culture and this kind of festival could not be found anywhere else in the world.

"Your efforts to meet soldiers on the 'Raksha Bandhan' day and tying 'rakhi' are significant. It would help in boosting the morale of the soldiers who are staying away from the family," she said.

These children were abandoned by their parents and are taken care of by 'Vatsalya Gram', run by Sadhvi Ritambara, which unites them with childless mother so that they get parental care and love.

Commending the activities of the organisation, Patil said, "nothing can replace the love of the mother" and quoted a Marathi phrase "even if you have met the three saints and do not get mother's love, you are a beggar".