UP: Amid call to boycott Chinese products, women self-help groups to prepare 5 lakh rakhis in Prayagraj

PRAYAGRAJ: To boycott Chinese rakhis in the aftermath of the recent deadly standoff between Indian and Chinese forces in Galwan Valley, more than 1,500 women associated with self-help groups in rural and urban pockets of Prayagraj will prepare 5 lakh designer rakhis of metal, silk threads, plastic beads, glass beads, sandalwood and other materials.
These rakhis will be sold in prominent markets and makeshift stalls set up at different areas of the city ahead of Raksha Bandhan on August 3.
Vijay Arora , president of Prayag Vyapaar Mandal, said: "We have decided to boycott Chinese products and promote only indigenous products, including rakhis, this festive season."
"We will only sell indigenous rakhis and decorative items in upcoming festivals like Krishna Janamasthmi," he said.
While traders associated with Prayag Vyapaar Mandal have already announced to sell only local rakhis this year and even placed orders to SHGs, women are also being imparted training to prepare rakhis under the banner of National Rural Livelihood Mission and National Urban Livelihood Mission (NRLM).
Sharad Kumar Singh, District Mission Manager (NRLM) told TOI, "Over 200 women associated with SHGs have been imparted training at Karchana and Baharia blocks for preparing rakhis and we will extend the training programme to other blocks from Monday."