Unclaimed bodies of widows lie in anonymity as their right to the final act is denied. The rising population of abandoned widows in Vrindavan is of concern as many find themselves in limbo in this pilgrimage destination.
60-year-old Dr Laxmi Gautam is ensuring no widow is left on the streets to fetch for themselves, and their last rites are done with dignity. Not only widows, but orphans, destitutes, homeless, and even holy men take shelter at her NGO ‘Kanak Dhara’ started in 2013. The college professor routinely checks the Yamuna cremation ground to collect any abandoned dead bodies needing cremation. Some of them are even rotten.
The situation caught the media’s attention, especially after a SC judge visited the place and noticed the problem. A report was filed, a committee was formed, and someone from the hospital was appointed in-charge of the situation. But the slow process and red tape created its own set of hurdles, which encouraged Dr. Laxmi Gautam to continue her work.
She faced opposition in the initial years from her family members but now is proudly accompanied by her children. Her exemplary work with Vrindavan’s abandoned widows won her the Nari Shakti Puraskar from President Pranab Mukherjee. It is surprising how her story is hailed with pride by other Indians but very few consider the burden on her. With the incompetence of governing bodies, citizen initiatives across India have always helped millions of Indians in dire circumstances and situations.
Thousands of widows are abandoned by family and kin when perceived as economic burden or while suffering from ailments. The challenges for widows are complicated with archaic legal frameworks and sometimes harsh social norms. In case of lack of employment some widows face the brunt of economic vulnerabilities. For many, discrimination in inheritance and land ownership are commonplace.
But with the right help they can fight these circumstances. Here are some laws that would help widows or organisations helping them.
The Widows (Protection and Maintenance) Bill (2022) is primarily established to protect widows and single women. This works towards abolishing the ill practices of widowhood in India.
The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act (2007) is applicable to older widows as it mandates providing financial support, medical facilities, food, and shelter to elderly parents and grandparents. It even calls to settle maintenance claims in favour of the senior citizen in a timely manner. In fact the law even mandates establishing old age homes in every district in India.
The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme is said to provide monthly pension of Rs. 300 for widows between 40 and 79 years of age, and Rs. 500 for widows 80 years and older, which are abysmal amounts in these times.
Though Dr Gautam and other entitles work towards helping many lives, the abandoned remains of widows are proof of a broken social system that is left to decay just like their bodies.
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