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Breaking away from oppressive traditions, widows celebrate Holi and Diwali

Did You Know?

For the longest time, widows in India could not play Holi. Thanks to a PIL filed filed by National Legal Services Authority Charity in 2012, the Supreme Court directed NALSA to provide relief and sustenance to the widows. NALSA approached Sulabh International, founded by Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, who designed a holistic programme not just for the financial amelioration of the widows but also organised a Holi celebration in 2013, where approximately 800 widows for the first time played Holi by smearing Gulaal and throwing flower petals at each other, immersing in the colours of Holi.

What we take for granted, comes to others after decades and in this case centuries. We laud the efforts of Sulabh International in extending this kindness and helping usher in a new page in the lives of the widows.

Pictures and full story can be read here at Sulabh International’s website :
https://www.sulabhinternational.org/widows-celebrating-festivals/.

Let’s hope that this Holi helps fill colours in the lives of all around us. Team Womb wishes you all a very happy Holi.

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