The photo shows the widows of Vrindavan dancing during an event organised by Sulabh International to mark International Widows Day in New Delhi. Photo: S. Subramanium
Widows living in various shelter homes said they wanted to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to persuade him to push the Widow Protection Bill in the budget session of Parliament. Photo: S. Subramanium
The plight of the widows in Vrindavan was first brought to the attention of the media and the National Legal Services Authority by The Hindu in an August 2011 article, <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/prayers-in-penury/article2344817.ece"> 'Prayers in Penury.' </a>
It also asked NALSA to contact NGO Sulabh International to find out whether they could come forward to help the 1,790-odd widows living in the four government shelters at Vrindavan. The photo shows founder Bindeshwar Pathak singing with the widows of Vrindavan on International Widows Day
Sulabh International has since then been providing assistance to these widows – a monthly stipend, ambulance facilities and has also arranged for an electric crematorium. It has also created various self-employment avenues.
The women are being invited by puja samitis across India to inaugurate traditional festivities. This has been planned to remove the social stigma attached to their lives. Photo: S. Subramanium