A GROUP from the Hindu Swayamsevek Sangh (HSS UK) Reading visited Superintendent Bhupinder Rai and her team at Reading Police Station to celebrate the festival of Raksha Bandhan.

Raksha Bandhan in Sanskrit language means Bond of Protection.

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It is a Hindu festival dating back to Vedic time which symbolises a spirit of brotherhood and harmony amongst all sections of society irrespective of race, religion, colour and nationality.

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Rakhi signifies the message of universal brotherhood where everyone looks after each other as part of a global family and it is tied to members of the armed forces, emergency services and other public officials.

The session started with Superintendent Rai and the team engaging the children to talk about Raksha Bandhan and Police work.

They then gave the message to children of understanding the police are there for their protection, someone to trust and never to hesitate to ask for help.

A tribute was also paid to PC Andrew Harper along with a card for his family.

The Raksha Bandhan ritual was then performed by the children who first did a tilak on the Superintendent’s forehead which represents the third eye of wisdom and then tied a Rakhi (sacred thread) to all the officers present.

The police were informed about the background of HSS UK in general and the Reading branch in particular.

An invitation was extended to the police to join their session and engage with the youth.

The evening ended with children being shown around the police station, being given opportunity to try police kit and best of all from their perspective - a look and play around with the police car and van.