Green Business
Radhika Chaturvedi, co-founder of Vikalp Aahaar, who is passionate about creating conscious alternatives that bring together sustainability, traditional knowledge and community livelihoods. For Raksha Bandhan, this philosophy has found expression in the beautiful Bhimal Rakhi—handcrafted by women from Himalayan villages and created from the natural fibre of the Bhimal tree. It transforms a simple thread into a meaningful symbol of love, tradition, livelihood and renewal.
Q: What inspired Vikalp Aahaar to create a sustainable rakhi?
Raksha Bandhan is about love, care and protection. We wanted to take that beautiful idea a little further to celebrate the bond between siblings while also strengthening our bond with nature. At Vikalp Aahaar, we believe that every festival can be celebrated in a way that respects the Earth. Our rakhi is, therefore, more than just a thread; it is a reminder that the choices we make while celebrating can also nurture people, communities and nature. Our larger philosophy is built around natural, local, sustainable and ethical choices, so creating a rakhi that reflected these values felt like a very natural extension of our work.
Q: Tell us about the Bhimal Rakhi. What makes it special?
The Rakhi is handcrafted by women from Himalayan villages and made from the natural fibre of the Bhimal tree, Boehmeria rugulosa. Bhimal has traditionally been used in the Himalayan region as a strong natural fibre, including for binding fields and other everyday purposes. We loved the idea of taking something so deeply connected to the Himalayan landscape and transforming it into a symbol of love, protection and care. This rakhi is more than a thread—it is a promise woven with love, tradition and hope. It celebrates not only the bond between siblings but also the rich heritage of Himalayan craftsmanship.
Q: There is also a seed inside the Rakhi. What does that represent?
That is perhaps my favourite part. The Rakhi is plantable, so the celebration doesn't have to end when Raksha Bandhan is over. The seed gives the thread another life. There is something very beautiful and symbolic about that. Just as the bond between siblings continues to grow, the seed too can take root, grow and flourish. It is our way of saying that love can leave behind something living rather than something that simply becomes waste. The Rakhi is completely natural and biodegradable, leaving no trace behind but blessings.
Q: How does buying this rakhi support Himalayan women?
Sustainability has to include people. This initiative creates dignified livelihood opportunities for women artisans in Himalayan villages while helping preserve and revive traditional craftsmanship. Every rakhi carries the skill, patience and story of the woman whose hands have created it. When someone chooses this rakhi, he or she is supporting a whole circle of wellbeing—the bond between siblings, the artisan, traditional knowledge and the natural environment. For us, that is what conscious consumption should mean: choosing something that has a positive impact beyond the person who buys it.
Q: What comes in the rakhi box?
We wanted the box to bring together a collection of natural, meaningful and locally connected products. Each box includes a Bhimal-fibre plantable rakhi, forest honey, spiced Amla candy and small bottles of roli and chawal for the traditional Raksha Bandhan ritual. Together, these elements tell a story of the Himalayas—the forests, the women, the traditional crafts and the wonderful natural produce of the region.
Q: What message would you like people to take away this Raksha Bandhan?
I would simply say: celebrate with love, but let that love extend beyond our families. If Raksha Bandhan is a promise of protection, perhaps we can also make it a promise to protect our forests, rivers and soil and to support the artisans and communities whose lives are closely connected with nature. Every festival can be eco-friendly. Every celebration can make a difference. We wanted this rakhi to create a circle of love, for your family, for the artisans whose hands keep these traditions alive and for the forests that sustain us all. The Bhimal Rakhi is our small reminder that celebrating and caring for nature do not have to be separate. We can strengthen our bonds with one another while strengthening our bond with the Earth. Bhimal Rakhi boxes are available through Vikalp Aahaar at vikalpaahaar.in and can also be ordered through Lucknow Farmers Market at lucknowfarmersmarket.com.
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