International Widows Day: Vrindavan still crammed... Indians have a long way to go

The urban citizens surely are not aware of the plight that widows in not so progressed towns or villages go through. Of course laws and policies have been passed to stop the Sati process and now we no more have widows jumping on the pyre of their husbands, it is only because doing so is illegal or otherwise many orthodox households would have forced their young daughters-in-law to do the same.

In earlier days, the life of a Vidhwa or a widow was considered a curse and doomed. She was forced to lead a colourless life and making her bald and forcing her to wear only a white sari or attire was the norm. The widows were not allowed to participate in any religious or auspicious ceremonies of the house and more often she was not even allowed to go out of the house.

A devoted daughter to countless aged #widows in #Vrindavan, this #woman has given shelter and cremation to thousands... #ProfLaxmiGautam #EmpoweringVoices pic.twitter.com/o5oHzU1CK4

— Rukshmanii Kumari (@KumariRukshmani) June 20, 2019

While life for widows in metro cities has changed for the better and now they are considered equal to everyone and readily marry after the death of their husbands, the system of looking down on women still continues in many villages and towns of India.

Challenges widows face in India

On International Widows Day, here’s an insight into the bleak life that such widows lead in Vrindavan which is popularly known as the “city of widows.” Unfortunately, this land of Krishna where the God himself played and taught everyone the power of love and sharing has now become crammed with widows who are forced to live a lonely life in ashrams waiting for their death to come.

One of the most common challenges they face is getting a decent space for living. Despite laws making the inheritance of property and assets equally to widows mandatory, they are rarely given their share and are thrown out of the house with force and by insulting them inappropriately. These widows who come to Vrindavan ashrams do not have money so they can rent a place and have to live in public spaces.

They are forced to hole up in inexpensive spaces or tiny rooms that have no facilities from proper sanitation, electricity, or a cot to sleep on. They do not have any knowledge of government schemes and often rely on ashrams and mahaprasad at temples for food and meals.

Under the Widow Welfare Scheme of the Government, National Social Assistance Programme, widows from the age of 40 years and above are paid INR 600 every month which is not enough for proper living. More measures are required from both society and the government to make the life of these widows better.