Started in 2012 | Ongoing
Borders are often described as lines of separation—but at Shivam Charitable Trust, we have always believed they can also be places of connection. Our BSF Cultural Activities project began with a simple idea: bring joy to those who protect us, by celebrating the festivals that connect us all as Indians.
Raksha Bandhan – A Bond of Protection
Since 2012, every Raksha Bandhan, sisters and children from our Trust have tied rakhis to BSF soldiers at the border. These rakhis symbolize not only the protection soldiers offer to us, but also the love and blessings we offer in return. Each year, hundreds of rakhis are tied, filling the BSF camps with smiles and the warmth of family that soldiers are often away from.
Diwali & New Year – Light in Their Lives
Festivals are when homes shine brightest, but for jawans stationed at the border, they often pass in darkness. Through our Diwali & New Year celebrations, we have been delivering sweets, lights, and festivities directly to the BSF. Fireworks in the sky, diyas lit in camps, and soldiers dancing to Garba beats have become annual traditions that remind them: “You are never alone.”
Navratri & Sharad Purnima at Nara Bet Border
Every year on Sharad Purnima night, we organize a grand Garba celebration at the Nara Bet border in Kutch. This has become one of the most unique cultural events in India—bringing together soldiers, trustees, villagers, and volunteers under the moonlit desert sky. The beats of the dhol, the whirl of chaniya cholis, and the claps of soldiers in uniform create a sight that is beyond festivals—it is unity in its purest form.
Tree Plantation & Cultural Seva
Our cultural programs are not limited to celebrations. Every event also carries a social mission. Since 2013, we have made tree plantation drives a part of our BSF cultural programs. To date, we have planted nearly 7,000 trees across BSF campuses. Each tree represents a soldier’s resilience, a child’s future, and our collective promise to keep the borders green and alive.
Impact in Numbers (2012–2025)
- 13 Raksha Bandhan celebrations held.
- 12 Diwali & New Year festivals hosted.
- 12 Sharad Purnima Navratri programs at Nara Bet.
- 7,000 trees planted across BSF campuses.
- 10,000+ soldiers and families reached through cultural events.
- 300+ volunteers and trustees participated annually.
The Human Side
One soldier once told us:
“Hamare liye ghar se door rehkar tyohaar sirf ek din hote hai. Lekin jab aap log yaha aate ho, toh lagta hai jaise ghar ka ek hissa yaha aa gaya ho.” (“For us, festivals away from home are just another day. But when you come here, it feels like a piece of home has arrived.”)
This single sentence captures why our cultural initiatives matter. They are not just events—they are bridges of belonging.
Future Goals (2025–2030)
- Expand Raksha Bandhan programs to all Gujarat frontier posts.
- Reach 25,000+ BSF soldiers through cultural seva by 2030.
- Plant 5,000 more trees inside BSF campuses.
- Start digital celebrations (live-streaming Garba & Raksha Bandhan) so families of soldiers can participate virtually.
Festivals bring people together. At Shivam Charitable Trust, they also bring soldiers closer to the love they safeguard.