What began as a celebration of Raksha Bandhan has grown into an emotional initiative that brings together more than 20,000 women from across Uttar Pradesh every year.Every year, these women, many from underprivileged communities, come together to tie Rakhis to Dr Umesh Gautam, Mayor of Bareilly and Chancellor of Invertis University in a celebration hosted by him along with Dr Parth Gautam. For them, it is a symbol of trust, respect and a shared bond but for Dr. Umesh Gautam, the occasion is about much more than a traditional festival. It is an effort to give the spirit of Raksha Bandhan a larger social meaning. The celebration speaks of dignity, support, opportunity and standing by women throughout the year.ETimes spoke to Dr. Umesh Gautam about the inspiration behind the initiative, the emotional significance of the rakhi, and why he believes the values associated with the festival should extend far beyond a single day.
When asked what inspired him to start this unique Raksha Bandhan initiative, he said, “Raksha Bandhan is a festival built around the beautiful values of protection, care, trust and respect. I wanted to take these values beyond the traditional family setting and give them a larger social meaning. The idea was to create a platform where thousands of women could come together and feel that the promise of support and protection extends to the larger community as well.”“Our broader work in society has always been guided by the belief that meaningful change comes from staying connected with people and understanding their needs. Whether it is through education, community welfare, access to basic necessities or initiatives focused on women and youth, our objective has been to contribute wherever we can. This Raksha Bandhan initiative is an extension of that same philosophy,” he added.Dr Gautam stresses that this initiative stems from a sense of responsibility towards the women who place their trust in him. “Rakhi is a symbol of responsibility. When a woman ties a rakhi, it represents trust and a shared emotional bond. The commitment is about creating an environment where every woman feels valued, respected and supported. Whether through public service, education or community initiatives, our role should be to create an environment where people feel heard and supported. This symbolic bond reinforces that responsibility,” Dr. Gautam said.Explaining the deeper significance of Raksha Bandhan, Dr. Gautam said he believes its message should not be confined to one relationship or one day. “Personally, Raksha Bandhan represents an unconditional bond of trust, responsibility and respect. I believe the true spirit of the festival should not remain limited to one day or one relationship. It should inspire us to build a society where women feel respected, supported and secure throughout the year.”As is customary at the celebration, women are also gifted sarees. “The saree is a gesture of respect and affection deeply associated with our cultural traditions,” he explains. “More importantly, we want every woman participating in the celebration to feel acknowledged, valued and respected.”However, Dr. Gautam insists one must not take a myopic view and brand it as ‘gifts’. “At the grassroots level, empowerment is not limited to one intervention. It comes through a combination of dignity, education, opportunity, awareness and inclusion. This is why our social efforts also focus on creating access to education and encouraging young people and communities to participate in nation-building. Initiatives such as this help reinforce the message that every woman deserves respect and the opportunity to move forward with confidence,” he said.Dr. Gautam believes initiatives such as this is a reminder that it is the society which must create enabling environment for women to live with confidence and dignity. “Society must stand behind women and ensure that they have access to education, opportunities and the freedom to build the future they want. To young people, I would say that social responsibility should become a part of everyday life. Leadership is not only about holding a position; it is about serving society and creating opportunities for others. Raksha Bandhan gives us an opportunity to celebrate these values, but those values must not restrict to one day,” he stressed.Asked what the growing participation over the years means to him, Dr Gautam pointed to the relationships that have developed around the annual gathering. “What is particularly meaningful is the emotional connection that women and families have developed with the initiative. Every year, seeing thousands of women participate together reinforces our belief that social initiatives become meaningful when people see themselves as an integral part of them,” he said,And on that note, Dr Gautam wrapped up our conversation and walked towards his sisters for the day, or, as he sees it, a responsibility that extends well beyond it.
