The abandoned widows of India

AFP Published March 8, 2013

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Hundreds of widows who have been abandoned by their families live in the shelter, or ashram, run by the NGO Sulabh International.

In India, when a man dies, traditionally his widow is expected to renounce all earthly pleasures, such as wearing colourful clothes or looking attractive, and she can face severe social discrimination.

Sulabh International, a non-profit organisation has been working towards improving the conditions of 1,780-odd widows living in government shelters at Vrindavan by providing education, health care , vocational training and stipends.

Issues surrounding the treatment of women are receiving special attention on March 8, which marks International Women's Day.

— Photos and Text by Agencies

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Atikh Rashid

Mar 10, 2013 08:14am

BTW, photos are excellent

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Atikh Rashid

Mar 10, 2013 08:13am

sorry. but the story seems to be a foreigners perception about India and the issue. A little more study is always useful.

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Tamilselvan

Mar 08, 2013 01:52pm

Thanks for bringing this article by Dawn. Old people are finding it more difficult to get by and live with dignity. Society must take care of the elders who have sacrificed for them and cared for the, The concept of joint family was good but now families are broken apart and older generations are finding it difficult to survive. Hats off to Sulabh International for their work

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MDMS

Mar 08, 2013 12:37pm

They have shelter, food, education, security, employment, society of those in similar misfortune, entertainment etc.... Where are my rights in Pakistan???????????

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Viswanath

Mar 09, 2013 01:37am

Very good photos - but I must disagree with the caption. They are being taken care of - they are being educated, and taught life skills for survival. They are anything but abandoned.

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Ford

Mar 09, 2013 02:27am

Really Dawn? On woman's day you had to cross border to come up with an issue? Couldn't find anything in Pakistan?

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Zkage

Mar 09, 2013 03:55am

Very sad pictures, to be left alone at a shelter without family to take care of you.

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blue

Mar 09, 2013 06:09pm

I BEG to differ from Dawn point of u, Among them some might be misfortune who doesn'tt have any shelter . Most of them are volunteers .. These elderly women want to spend their remaining life time in God's complentation , And if they are willfully there to serve god , there is nothing wrong in it . Are they ? Infact Hindu way of life designed in that way , first 25 yrs education ( Brahmachary) 25yrs to -50 yrs House holder life( grihastha) then comes vanaprastha , and followed by sanyasa( monks, who renounces) these rules apply same to both male and female,

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Zak

Mar 09, 2013 06:53pm

Why? Don't like to look into the mirror. See india papers, they are full of hate towards Pakistan. This is just a social issue news.

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Shankar

Mar 09, 2013 09:40pm

The government of Tamilnadu in South India gives Rs 1000/- per month to elderly widows without male children. An excellent move!

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Mauren

Mar 09, 2013 11:41pm

India is not a land of milk and honey, we get it. But, why does Dawn have these repeated sad stories about India? Are you trying to convince yourself and your readers that life in Pakistan is better?

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Karim Lala

Mar 10, 2013 12:23am

I disagree with you Viswanath, disowning by your own family is the greatest sin and leaving them at the holy place to fend for themselves, I don't know how the family members can be happy and live with their consciousness.

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ameeth sethi

Mar 10, 2013 01:55am

since i worked as a doctor at one of such places in vrindavan. The facilities they receive there are good, like 2000 INR, 5/10 kg rice/ wheat, 10 ltrs kerosene,a doctor visiting morning etc..... but yes they constantly feel the pain of separation from there loved once. but overall safe and secure in ashrams in vrindavan.

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Riase M.

Mar 10, 2013 05:24am

Thank God for small mercies. At least they have not been burnt alive as their religion and culture requires.

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