Widows of India...

What tradition are you speaking of? I have no idea how the Indian widows live. Could you elaborate?

I saw a film on that subject some time ago, when although it was illegal for families to require widows to hurl themselves on the funeral pyres of their late husbands, the inlaws often arranged for kitchen "accidents" to happen where the widow's clothing would catch fire, resulting in her death, especially in poor families where the wife was looked upon as just another mouth to feed even though she did all the work. It was just heartbreaking to know that although the authorities were well aware that the deaths were not accidental, they did nothing to prevent them or prosecute the murderers. Now, I understand that in most areas this kind of crime is prosecuted. I hope that is true and that it acts as a deterrent to this kind of senseless cruelty. It is hard for me to comprehend a mother-in-law doing this, especially since all of the Indian women I have met have been so sweet and lovely.

Old habits die hard, though. I once asked an Indian friend and colleague whose father had had 3 wives why his mother who had been widowed for many years did not remarry now that she was in the US, and in all seriousness he said because he would kill her if she did. He felt that would have been his duty as the oldest son. He had become so "American" in many ways, but it was shocking to see how very obstinate and different he could be in this regard. So even the wealthy widows who are free from material want lack any freedom in the sense we know it, even when they live in our own neighborhoods.

It would be a terrible thing to have to spend your whole existence in fear of your own family, in fear of the ones who should be protecting and loving and nurturing you.

Hello aseretdd,I would like to state that these traditions and customs that you saw in the movie, in my country,was something which was followed a long time ago.Now these practices are no longer there and the government has banned "sati" where the widow jumped into the funeral pyre of her husband.I agree women,especially widows had a raw deal in my country in ancient times,but the present generation has been shielded from such cruel practices thanks to the timely act of the government and social organizations...

Today women in India are given equal education and right in par with men in all areas of life and widows no longer have to follow the old barbarain customs.Infact they are alloted the job of the husband in government offices,provided they are qualified and so they can continue to run the family without much hardship.

Education and social awareness has uplifted the status of women and widows in India,and you can take what you saw in the movie as a bad night mare which our unfortunate counterparts had to go through in olden times, but which has been thankfully banished from our society now.....

hi please share us your movie the widows in old tradition tell us the story in brief i can not respond well i don't know the story. If you have the video clip of the movie that you can share with us please do. I am interested. Please read my topic "WHY ACCEPTANCE THE KEY TO CHANGE?" I might as well help you.

Hello!
I've read an article about the widows in India and it's sad, I couldn't believe it actually. It's disheartening that when you become a widow in India you become an outcast in the society. Some widows are being thrown out of family homes as if they're evil woman who caused the death of her husband. Women in India are often married off at a young age and no education, they usually lack skills and knowledge to take care of themselves and know their rights. It's just nice to know that there are groups and foundations who helps these widows.

ciao! c",)