The National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), based in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has unveiled biodegradable floral rakhis just ahead of Raksha Bandhan.
These rakhis, made using dried flowers and other plant-based materials, reflect a sustainable approach to the traditional festival.
Speaking about the initiative, NBRI Director Ajit Kumar Shasany said the idea was rooted in promoting women’s empowerment. “This concept has come up as we were making floral crafts in NBRI. We were doing it for women empowerment. A few days ago, we got an idea that we could convert the floral art into environmental friendly rakhi. We give various shapes to dried flowers. It is eco-friendly,” Shasany told ANI.
Each biodegradable rakhi is priced at ₹50 and is available for purchase at the NBRI campus in Lucknow. Promoting the initiative on social media, CSIR-NBRI shared on X (formerly Twitter):
"Celebrate a Green Raksha Bandhan with CSIR-NBRI's Biodegradable Floral Rakhis! Crafted with love, tradition & sustainability by empowered women. Available for Sale | Rs 50 only Sale Section, Gate No. 3, Botanic Garden, CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow."
Raksha Bandhan is a cherished Hindu festival celebrating the sibling bond, where sisters tie rakhis on their brothers’ wrists and receive gifts in return as a symbol of protection and love.
NBRI is widely recognised for pioneering innovation in plant sciences. According to its official website, “The CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) - is amongst one of the constituent research institutes of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi.
Originally set up as the National Botanic Gardens (NBG) by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), it was taken over by the CSIR in 1953. Though initially engaged in research in the classical botanical disciplines, the NBG went on laying an increasing emphasis, in keeping with the national needs and priorities in the field of plant sciences, on its applied and developmental research activities.”
With this eco-conscious and socially empowering product, NBRI aims to promote both sustainability and inclusive growth during the festive season.