Study on Widows in Vrindavan – Dimensions of Deprivation: Study on the Poverty Levels of Widows of Vrindavan
The treatment meted out to widows by certain section of Hindu society is appalling. The life of a widow in some Hindu communities is nothing short of dreadfulness. In such communities, the widows are kept out of all social functions and they can’t remarry. A larger number of widows from various parts of North India today live in Braj near Vrindavan – a minority of them voluntarily arrive to live in the ashrams here but majority of them are forced to leave their villages and families and live in Braj without any economic support from the family. A study conducted by Guild of Service – Dimensions of Deprivation: Study on the Poverty Levels of Widows of Vrindavan – suggests that the Widows in Vrindavan are happier here than in their homes and in villages. Majority of them, even though miniscule, have found economic freedom and are moving away from traditional concepts of widowhood. The Hindu reports The study suggests that the Braj widows do not believe in tonsuring, and some of the youn