The Plight Of Poor Indian Widow –can ICT help

Anandi became widow at the age of 18 in 1987. She lost her husband a youth of 19; having married by her parents in a tiny village not too far from Calcutta, one of the earliest cities colonized by the Britisher  in India’s, at a tender age of 10. She could spend only 4 years at her husband’s place before cruel fate snatched her husband of any unknown, untreated disease. Anandi’s life underwent a catastrophe after that. She was thrown out of her house by her in-laws suddenly. Her long hair were chopped and her head was shaved. Her colorful sarees and jewelry were taken away by her mother-in-law and she was asked to leave for Brindavan—over 800 miles away from her village. Brindavan was chosen for her as well as for all widows of all ages, castes and creeds from the Northern and Eastern parts of India because it was the place where Hindu’s leading deity Lord Krishna was born and grew up in a cow herdsmen family. Krishna has been worshipped in India since time immemorial and women had a special place in Krishna folklore and in the  “Krishna tradition” Not only was he the savior of the downtrodden women; but he was the ultimate reincarnation of “Vishnu” who saw women in different revered forms—as a mother, sister and also as a lover. For centuries Indian women have dreamt of giving away their lives for their “Krishna” as an ultimate salvation. For widows who are supposed to have been “cursed” by the God; spending rest of their lives at the feet of Lord Krishna in Brindavan was their only hope and only way they could survive. They could not return back to their homes—either of their parents or their in-laws since an  Indian widow had no place in the society other than at the feet of God.

Several social reformers from Bengal such as Raja Ram Mohan, Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore; consistently championed the cause of Indian widows and strove for many-many years to get a rightful place  for them in the society. Thankfully due to their tireless work; atleast in the urban areas, the widows were given their due place in the society and in the homes. Yet a vast majority of the rural population; continued to turn a blind eye to their plight. They were expected to survive alone, without any support from the family or from society; serving the Lord. 

And what a survival it has been for over 3,000—nobody knows exactly how many of these  frail, pathetic women live in Brindavan; there has been no census and there has been no head count—of these creatures  leading lives worst than that of animals. Ones who are beautiful, buxom  and charming have been raped multiple times. There has been a flourishing flesh trade in and around Brindavan. The temple workers called “pandas” in Hindi in nexus with the local police and administration; have been exploiting these widows for several decades now. The ones that were not so physically endowed; some times were turned over as bonded labor, home maids by the nexus prevalent in these religious places. There is no hope for these helpless widows.  All they get from the “ashrams” run by some charitable trusts and religious foundations is approx. 250 gms. Of rice and 100 gms. Of pulses in the morning for their meals; and less than US 5 cents for chanting “Krishna” name for 2-3 hours every day in the afternoon.  

 It is unimaginable how a widow can sustain herself merely on 5 cents and 250 gms. Of rice and some pulses; and occasionally getting few clothes from donors. Severe winter in this part of the country has also killed many widows since many of them live without any shelter—on the roads—and they consider themselves lucky if they get a blanket in gift from a donor. However that is a lifetime achievement for them to a get a blanket to cover themselves in the winter chill !! In the open spaces in and around Brindavan, the widows can be seen “warming” themselves in groups by bonfires they set up from roadside waste and wood.  

There are more than 33 million widows in India—almost 10% of the Indian female population. 50% of the widows are over 50 years of age. A study conducted by the Govt. in 1994 revealed of 88% widows who remained in their dead husband’s village only 3% shared the same hearth with their in-laws. Less than 3% widows lived with their parents. Rest all lived in the fringes of religious cities such as Brindavan or Banaras.

Sadly for the widows; the political leadership has also turned a blind eye to their plight because the politicians are fearful of raising a controversy as well as they do not form a “vote-bank” for them.  Basic health facilities are inaccessible for them. Sanitation and clean water beyond reach ! It is a life of utter despair and helplessness for these unfortunate ! 

The widows rent shelter for themselves—many of them share rooms as well since the cost of renting a room (ranging from US$ 5-7 per month) is beyond their reach. Most of the times they have to resort to begging to make both ends meet. Despite over all despondency and gloom; they share their sorrows with one another and live in groups often sharing their food as well as their lives with one another. But for this bonding and deep chord existing between them; their survival would have been difficult. 

Being alive of the plight of Brindavan widows and their consistent exploitation by the religious forces; local administration; few voluntary groups such as the “Guild of Service” set up by Dr. Mohini Giri and ably supported by Mrs. Veena Singhania  have tried to make some health-care and medical facilities available to the widows. Mobile Medical vans have been deployed to attend to basic medical needs of atleast some widows. However all hospitalization and surgical cases are referred to the Govt. run hospitals who demand proof of identity as well as proof  that the widows have been living in that area. Few Volunteers have been deployed to help attend basic health care needs of the widows.

Since identification is a major problem for then widows; Datamation has volunteered & proposed to the local Govt., entirely based on its own resources-- issuance of photo-identity cards which would gain acceptance from the local administration, hospitals as well as the  police. These identification cards will also lead to the setting up of a database of the widows in a central location in Brindavan. The database will be used by the volunteers as well as the authorities; primary health and well-being of the widow apart from ensuring that she can be accessed whenever needed and whenever any benefit can be shared with her. Hopefully with the aid of database and the photo-id. Cards; atleast the widows of Brindavan will get a name and a face which every one will recognize and use to support them.  

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The widows have been shy and hesitant to get themselves photographed. They are so full of despair and despondency that no amount of talk about well-being is sufficient to motivate them. However Datamation counselors managed to prevail upon most of them; giving them an assurance that only after actual information and data is available; they can pressurize the Govt. and funding agencies to do anything for them. Occasionally the counselors had to yell at them to get themselves photographed. 

Ultimately they agreed to Datamation’s request. In  their sunken eyes and in their shriveled bodies;  we could see a glimmer of  hope ! Will ICTs help stem their plight and give them a chance to leave—is a big challenge !!

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