The festival of Diwali brings many occasions of happiness in every home of the country. This time on the occasion of Diwali, something different and unique was seen in Vrindavan, UP. Here on Tuesday, thousands of widowed women celebrated the Diwali festival at Yamuna Ghat. Many widowed women lit lamps and celebrated Diwali at Keshi Ghat of River Yamuna. This function was organized by Vrindavan-based NGO Sulabh Hope Foundation.
Party celebrated away from family
Widowed women from many other states had also attended the program; Their families had expelled them or distanced them from them. Wearing a white saree, she also made rangolis with colorful flowers. Chhavi Dasi, 70, originally from West Bengal, was also present on this occasion.
She said this Diwali reminded her of her childhood and post-marriage days when she used to celebrate this festival without any restrictions. Ratami, who is 69 years old, is present there. She says she never thought she would be able to celebrate the festival of Diwali again. Pushpa Adhikari (74) and Ashoka Rani (60) also looked very happy.
‘The widow is considered inauspicious’
Vineeta Verma, vice president of the NGO, said: “One of the worst policies implemented in Hindu society was considering widowhood as something inauspicious.” He was always looked down upon. They were separated from their families and forced to spend their lives begging in Vrindavan, Varanasi or Haridwar.
‘Therefore, to fight against these bad policies of the society, the founder of the NGO, Swargik Bindeshwar Pathak, took some important decisions like celebrating Holi and Diwali in Vrindavan, which has been happening for the last 12 years. Our NGO has been celebrating the Diwali festival uninterruptedly for 12 years. Thousands of widowed women have been living in Vrindavan, mostly from Bengal. They did not get the opportunity to participate in such occasions until our NGO extended a hand to them.
