The specially designed band featured the words ‘Make Poverty History’ with a Hindi inscription of ‘sisters and brothers unite’.

NOTE: This is a page about our 2005 rakhi band. Find out about the 2006 fairtrade rakhi here.

We made a limited edition version of the Make Poverty History white band for Rakhi Day 2005 and it was a runaway success…

The specially designed band, with a Hindi inscription of ‘sisters and brothers unite’, completely sold out, and we had all kinds of people – from all religious backgrounds – talking about it too.

Talvin Singh and Veronica show off their Make Poverty History Rakhi bands.

Musicians, actors and celebs – including Talvin Singh, Veronica, Raghav and Shobna Gulati – all supported what we were doing.

We also went to Melas and Temples all over the UK – including Coventry, Harrow, Pinner, Stanmore and Liverpool – and got a big mention in newspapers like the Asian Times and Eastern Eye, and on radio, including BBC 5 Live, BBC Asian Network (see right) and Sunrise Radio.

Everyone was really supportive, including a temple in Birmingham where the kids helped us sell the bands. We even wrapped the Vishwa Hindu Kendra Temple in Southall, London in a special white band. Sudarshan Bhatia, president of the temple, said: “The significance of tying Rakhi is an obligation of the brave and strong to protect and help the weak and poor. We should support this campaign as individuals, as an institution, as society and as a nation irrespective of race, religion or politics.”

The Vishwa Hindu Kendra Temple in Southall, London wrapped in a giant Rakhi white band.