Raipur: For members of the transgender community at Garima Grih in Sarona, Raksha Bandhan on Thursday was more than a festival—it was a reminder of the bonds of love, family and belonging that many have had to live away from.

The shelter home for transgender persons came alive with warmth as community members celebrated the festival by tying rakhis to one another and reaffirming their bonds as brothers and sisters.

In one of the most touching moments of the celebration, trans woman Nikki Dhruw tied a rakhi on the wrist of her brother, Sparsh Kashyap. Soon, others joined in, tying rakhis to fellow community members and sharing the affection associated with the festival.

The celebrations also saw the participation of newly appointed transgender police constables, who visited Garima Grih and joined the community members on the occasion.

For many present, the celebration carried a deeper emotional meaning.

“Raksha Bandhan is not just a festival for us; it is a day to feel the love and belonging of brothers and sisters. Spending this moment at Garima Greh gives us the feeling of being with family,” said community member Poppy Devnath.

Vidya Rajput said that for many transgender persons, separation from their biological families has meant missing out on such occasions with their siblings.

“Distance from family and siblings has entered the lives of many transgender persons, but the love for brothers and sisters remains unchanged. Celebrating Raksha Bandhan at Garima Greh offers an opportunity to experience that love and belonging again,” Rajput said.

For those gathered at Garima Greh, the rakhis tied on Thursday were therefore not merely threads on wrists. They became a simple expression of a bond that transcends the circumstances that may have separated them from their families.