Friendship ties

Border guards of India and Bangladesh tied Rakhi -- a thread symbolising bond between a brother and a sister -- at Hili border in Hakimpur upazila yesterday to strengthen the relationship between Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).  

In Hindu tradition, Rakhi Bandhan, also known as 'Raksha Bandhan', is widely celebrated in India every year.

Marking the festival, BSF members celebrated the festival with their Bangladeshi counterparts at zero line of Hili border for an hour from 11:00am.

The colourful event was witnessed by the people of both the countries where students of Basudevpur Primary School of India were also present. 

As part of the ritual, female members of BSF tied Rakhis round the wrists of all the BGB members present there.

The 'Indian sisters' also put a Tilak (mark with colour) on the forehead of their 'Bangladeshi brothers' and prayed for their well being and long life.

Similarly, female BGB members also tied Rakhis round the wrists of their 'Indian brothers' and shared sweetmeats with them.

Jamil Shah, company commandant of BSF Hili camp, and Abdul Malek, company commander of Hili BGB camp were present during the event.

While talking to the reporters, Jamil Shah said in Hindi 'Raksha' means protection while 'Bandhan' means bond.

According to the tradition, sisters tie a thread round their brothers' wrists and pray for their long life and happiness, he added.