This Article is From Aug 18, 2016

For Siachen Soldiers, Smriti Irani Carries Mother-Approved Mithai

Textile Minister Smriti Irani distributing home-made sweets to soldiers in Siachen on Raksha Bandhan.

New Delhi: Textile Minister Smriti Irani told soldiers at the Thoise base camp in Siachen today that she brought with her not only a sister's best wishes, but also a mother's love on Raksha Bandhan.

The minister, who tied rakhis to soldiers posted at the world's highest battleground, said she had carried with her sweets prepared under the supervision of her mother.

"I said there must be mithai with the rakhi and asked what my brothers here would have. I was told they usually get chocolates and badam pista. So I took special permission to get mithai made under the supervision of my mother," said Ms Irani, 40. She also tweeted, "Consider myself fortunate to have been able to spent auspicious day of #Rakshabandhan with soldiers at Siachen."
Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitaraman, who visited Tawang on the India-China border, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for designing the plan to send women ministers to India's borders today to tie rakhis to soldiers posted there. It sent the message that the nation cares for them, she said.
 

Nirmala Sitharaman tying rakhi to soldiers at Tawang on the India-China border.

She was accompanied by junior Home Minister Kiren Rijiju who said, "We have to push their morale, they are protecting us...the message is you are the brother and you are securing the nation."

Women and Child Welfare Minister Maneka Gandhi visited Indo-Nepal border post at Banbasa.
The ministers have posted photos on Twitter.
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