In simple words and by definition, a widow is a
woman who has lost her husband. Decades ago, widowhood used to wreak havoc in
the life of the woman. She was denied all basic rights. Man used to be the sole
earning hand of the family and his dismissal used to bring an end to family’s
happiness. Unfortunately, woman was tied to Sati ritual especially in India according
to which she had to set herself on fire at husband’s funeral pyre. White
colored attire and no means of entertainment and socializing used to be the
basic keys of widowhood. Suddenly, a woman used to become unfit for holy
practices and was kept at a corner of the house. Even eating delicacy was
banned.
Though the condition of woman as a widow has
ameliorated since then but it still lacks in morality in rural areas. Sati
system is no more into practice but what if life is made hell-like even till
today for few. In under developed areas, widow is still considered as a pitiful
woman who doesn’t have the right to start afresh. Forget about standing on her
feet and working for her bread and butter. She is looked down by fellow married
women. In fact, the worst part is that men look at her with evil eyes. It
becomes impossible to sustain life smoothly especially when they have kids to
nurture. Widowhood is not a curse its’ rather destiny’s decision. A woman’s
happiness is churned and smashed into an unending vicious cycle of
superstitions and myths. Sanctity of human life lies in its existence and
belief. If the spouse ceases to exist that doesn’t mean the life of the better
half ends. Husband and wife are like two wheels of a vehicle; their
coordination makes the vehicle move ahead gradually. If one of them falls off,
it is replaced with a new one but vehicle never stops. Similarly, life never
halts. In urban areas, a widow doesn’t have to face such issues but our rural
fellow women do not get the chance of enjoying rights on equal sharing basis.
Lack of adequate awareness and knowledge leads to
ignorance which is clearly evident. A woman who is already bound because of
shackles of society and responsibilities since marriage succumbs to her pain
after her husband’s loss. She merely needs the support of the society; neither
its sympathy nor its limitations. Sadly, the scenario is other way round till
date where under the chimney a woman sobs at night and wishes to die at the
pyre of the night.
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Written by Dr Aakshi Kalra
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