On Saturday, 2 August 2025, 18 Bal & Balika (children) from the Redhill Parivar Shakha visited Reigate Fire Service Station to mark the festival of Raksha Bandhan, combining cultural celebration with community engagement.

Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival celebrating bonds of protection, traditionally marked by tying a decorative thread known as a Rakhi on the wrist as a symbol of care and responsibility.

The group is part of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh UK (HSS UK), a nationwide voluntary organisation dedicated to promoting Hindu values, community service and personal development. Through weekly local gatherings known as Shakhas, HSS UK provides structured activities including games, physical exercise, yoga, discussions and cultural education. The organisation emphasises core values such as self-discipline, respect, teamwork, leadership and sewa (selfless service), encouraging members to become responsible and active contributors to wider British society.

The firefighters welcomed the children with sweets before the programme began with introductions and a brief address by Dharmesh Chheda, Vibhag Sampark Pramukh (Regional Outreach Lead), who outlined the work of HSS UK and the significance of the festival.

The Bal and Balika opened their presentation with the Gayatri Mantra, a short Vedic prayer for wisdom, followed by Surya Namaskar, a traditional sequence of yoga postures. In a light-hearted moment, the children invited the firefighters to join them in performing Surya Namaskar, an invitation the officers enthusiastically accepted.

During the visit, firefighters gave the group a guided tour of the station, demonstrating firefighting equipment, explaining safety procedures and answering questions about their role in responding to emergencies.

The Rakhi ceremony formed the centrepiece of the event, as the children tied Rakhis on the firefighters’ wrists to honour them as protectors of the community. Firefighters expressed appreciation for the gesture, noting the significance of being recognised for their service beyond their operational duties.

The visit concluded with the distribution of sweets and group photographs. Organisers said the event reflected HSS UK’s wider mission of building strong character in young people while fostering positive relationships and mutual respect within the broader community.