The plan for aid has been drawn up because Ms. Chowdhury explains she wants India’s widows to overcome poverty. She added that she wants them to lead meaningful lives. If they want, the widows can get married once again.
Currently, India’s dominant Hindu faith looks down upon widows remarrying after their spouses die. As a result, India’s widows usually see their social and economic power wasting away because of those customs.
According to an estimate, the figures show that there are at least 33 million widows in India. Many of the widows are poor and some of them are very young. Previous attempts to help the widows and improve their lives had little achievement. The continued plight of India’s widows made an initiative by the government desperately needed.
While India has a democratic government, the widows are a silent and invisible community when it comes to democratic rights. Upon losing her husband, a widow can use her dignity and her basic human rights.
A study has explained that many widows are dumped into religious towns by their relatives. Most of the widows have to survive on charity such as begging on the streets.
Renuka Chowdhury explains: “We always talk about helping widows, but in actual fact, very little gets done. Why else would so many widows find themselves utterly helpless and destitute in religious towns like Mathura and Vrindavan.”
She explains that forums can be set up where eligible young men can meet these widows. But, it looks to be easier said than done. Many widows do not want to remarry due to being steep in their religious beliefs.
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