Hindu seers, scholars break bread with widows

In a rare experience for the city, a large number of high caste Hindu seers and Sanskrit scholars Monday shared a common platform and dined with more than 100 widows.

"It was an exercise to create a kind of awareness against the practice of widowhood in the country. Such programmes will help end this treatment," said Sulabh International founder Bindeshwar Pathak. The programme was organised at the prestigious Kashi Vidyapeeth.

Sulabh International had recently adopted 150 widows of Varanasi. Every widow is given Rs.2,000 a month by the NGO for their health and other needs.

The Supreme Court had taken a strong exception last year to the manner in which the bodies of widows, who lived in government shelter homes at Vrindavan, were disposed.

The court had asked the National Legal Service Authority to contact Sulabh International to find out whether they would help the widows living in four government shelters at Vrindavan.