‘Tomato rakhis’ draw crowds, bring smiles on faces
LUCKNOW: With tomatoes continuing to be ‘pricey’, members of Uttar Pradesh Youth Congress Committee (UPCC) sold ‘tomato rakhis’ at a special counter set up on Kursi Road here on Sunday.
Priced at Rs 20 each, these innovative rakhis drew curious buyers and brought smiles on the faces of several women buyers.
“It is nice and innovative,” said Shalini who brought one such rakhi for her brother.
Shailendra Tiwari, a Congress worker, said: “As people flocked to our makeshift shop, they also spoke about sky-rocketing prices of tomatoes. They said the government has turned a blind eye to the problem.”
He said, “Our protest will continue till tomato prices drop to at least Rs 50 per kg.”
Earlier, the Congress worker sold tomatoes (at Rs 10 per kg) in front of the Vidhan Bhawan on Friday.
“We understand how the rising prices of vegetables are affecting people. This is our token protest. We gave half kg tomato per person. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath should also understand the problem and help people,” he added.
WOMEN TIE RAKHI TO COPS
Hundreds of women and girls tied rakhis on cops’ wrists during a function at Gosaiganj police station on Sunday to celebrate Raksha Bandhan.
Balwant Shahi, station officer, Gosaiganj, said the occasion was celebrated at the police station to instill a sense of security among women and girls.
He said the women were assured that they could approach cops round the clock, in case of any crisis.
A plantation drive was conducted on the police station premises.
Locals also participated in the drive and took a pledge to encourage plantation in the area.