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WIDOWS OF INDIA - CITY OF WIDOWS: VRINDIVAN

 

VRINDAVAN, India (CNN)—Ostracized by society, India’s widows flock to the holy city of Vrindavan waiting to die. They are found on side streets, hunched over with walking canes, their heads shaved and their pain etched by hundreds of deep wrinkles in their faces.

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Photographer Claude Renault

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/clodreno/1274292003/

 

Widows during the prayers in the main room of the Sri Bagwan Ashram in Vrindavan

 

 

 

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Website - Guild of Service - New Ashram for Widows/Women in Vrindivan:

http://www.guildofserviceni.com/projects.htm

 

The widows of Vrindavan face a life that is so abysmal and cruel that it is difficult to imagine such a state in the modern world. These widows are either admonished by their families of their former husbands or are discarded by near and dear relatives that no longer feel the need to support them.

MA DHAM, VRINDAVAN

Ma Dham - A haven for destitute widows/women in Vrindavan - is a shelter home for 200 women and orphan children. Started as a dream of extending out initiative in Vrindavan after Aamar Bari, the home is now complete. 40 women and 2 children moved into Ma Dham on 23rd March 2008 amidst awe, wonder, joy and tears by the women. Ma Dham is the largest home of its kind in the and is unique in its holistic rehabilitation initiatives. The Ma Dham shelter, apart from giving food and shelter to the widows/women, also has a medical center, family counseling, a legal literacy center, vocational training center, and herbal farm. A dairy farm and a an inter- faith prayer area are also planned.

 

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