She was 15, he was 30
Her life was filled with colors bright
But now what remains is only whiteThey say marriage is an institution
Then why the widow is treated as an exclusionNo no no, dont treat her as a burden
This is the same mother who gave up all for her childrenAll she craves is a little affinity
Leaving all behind, she heads towards divinitySeeing a thousand others she has a sense of association
Deep down, even she has a lot of emotionAll she wants now is to be with her Lord
She sings enchanting bhajans to strike a chordRekindled with joy and happiness
She no longer has a feeling of lonelinessAs she gazes at the temple dome
She has found a home away from home– written by Shrey Bhatia | Maitri Intern | NMIMS, Mumbai
Many elderly women in India suffer from poverty, isolation and social exclusion. In particular, elderly widowed women are often denied even basic rights such shelter and food. In many instances they are thrown out of their homes by their children or relatives. Thousands of such aged widows congregate in India’s holy city, Vrindavan, where they usually spend the rest of their lives in austerity, begging for food and living in hovels with no electricity and running water. An estimated 15,000 Hindu widows have made Vrindavan their home (Source: National Commission for Women).
Maitri India’s old age home offers a safe, hygienic and comfortable home for 150 elderly widowed women in 2 co locations. It provides them essentials for life including daily meals, nutritional supplements, clothing and health-care. Moreover, it will facilitate skill development, income generation and secure citizenship rights and government-provided benefits. Maitri also ensures the widow mothers’ dignity in death through conducting their last rites in accordance with their religious belief.
Do your bit.
Your donation can provide additional 100 widows meals, health supplements, and enable access to general and multi-specialty health-care. These women will be able to lead healthier lives. In addition, the project will help increase their socio-economic independence by facilitating access to citizenship rights and opportunities for vocational training, skill enhancement and employment.
Join our cause.
You can support the campaign here Color the Whites
More about Maitri NGO here Maitri