Hi5, smiles and more: PM Modi's day out with children on Raksha Bandhan

Narendra Modi celebrated Raksha Bandhan with schoolgirls and students at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, where they tied rakhis and exchanged high-fives. The images and social media posts placed the festival interaction within a broader push for informal digital outreach to younger audiences.PM Modi was seen seated among the students and interacting directly with them. (Credits: Instagram/Narendra Modi)Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Raksha Bandhan with schoolgirls and students at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, on Friday, sharing moments of interaction, smiles and high-fives with the young visitors.In a post on Instagram, PM Modi shared glimpses of the celebrations and captioned them, “Hi5, smiles and more during today’s Raksha Bandhan celebrations at 7, LKM.”The visuals showed the Prime Minister engaging with the students in an informal and relaxed setting as they marked the festival. The event featured young students in school uniforms, including some dressed in NCC cadet attire, tying rakhis around PM Modi’s wrist as a symbol of affection and protection.PM Modi was seen seated among the students and interacting directly with them. Traditional Raksha Bandhan items, including a ceremonial bowl, were also visible during the celebrations.In several moments, the Prime Minister exchanged high-fives with the young participants and smiled as he interacted with them. A NEW WAY FOR GENZ OUTREACH?The interaction can be viewed as another avenue for PM Modi to connect with younger audiences, particularly GenZ, through informal and relatable engagements.The use of candid interactions, high-fives and social media-friendly visuals also reflects how political communication is increasingly moving beyond formal public meetings and traditional political events.The outreach comes amid a broader emphasis on engaging younger audiences through digital platforms and more informal interactions.While the Prime Minister's post did not explicitly describe the Raksha Bandhan celebration as a GenZ outreach initiative, the participation of school students and the manner in which the interaction was presented online could contribute to building a more youthful and approachable public image.Earlier, PM Modi extended his greetings to people on Raksha Bandhan, wishing them happiness, prosperity and success. In a post on X, he said he hoped the festival would preserve the bond of love, affection and mutual trust symbolised by Raksha Bandhan, and remain “forever unbreakable”.Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters traditionally tie colourful rakhis after applying tilak, while brothers offer gifts and reaffirm their support. The festival is observed on the full moon day of Shravana, generally in August, and is primarily celebrated in India and Nepal.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Aug 28, 2026 14:07 IST