Widows Programme
In response to a call from India's Supreme Court, Sulabh International launched the Widow's Program to address the immediate and long-term needs of widows in the cities of Vrindavan and Varanasi. Our mission is to offer holistic support, addressing financial, healthcare, educational, and emotional needs, and reintegrating these women into the social fabric of society.
The Plight of Widows in
Vrindavan and Varanasi
In the sacred cities of Vrindavan and Varanasi, thousands of widows find themselves abandoned, marginalized, and forced to endure severe hardships such as poverty, neglect, and social isolation. Many of these women struggle to access basic necessities like food and medical care. The conditions are dire, with reports of widows suffering from starvation and being denied proper funeral rites. A study by the National Commission for Women highlights the extent of their exclusion from social and economic life, leaving them to live in conditions devoid of dignity and hope.
.png)
.png)
Restoring Dignity and Hope
Sulabh International is deeply committed to transforming the lives of widows in Vrindavan and Varanasi. Our comprehensive support aims to restore their dignity, improve their quality of life, and empower them to rebuild their futures with confidence and hope.
.png)
.png)
Continuing the legacy of
Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, our volunteers engage with widows through personal interactions, offering emotional support through activities like singing, dancing, and sharing stories. These activities foster a strong sense of community and belonging.
Emotional and Social Support
.png)
Literacy programs empower
widows by teaching them to
read and write, enhancing their
self-worth and independence.
Educational Opportunities
.png)
.png)
We offer training in skills such as stitching, incense stick making, candle making, and garland crafting. These activities not only provide the widows with an income but also help them move away from street begging, fostering economic independence and a sense of purpose.
Vocational Training
We offer a monthly stipend to widows, helping reduce their dependence on begging and ensuring they have a basic level of financial security.
Financial Support
Regular health camps are organized to provide essential medical care. Additionally, Sulabh has made ambulances available in both cities, allowing widows access to critical healthcare services within and outside the city.
Healthcare Initiatives
Our Model for Empowerment
A Path to Empowerment and Hope
.png)
The Widow's Program has significantly uplifted the lives of these women, providing them with the tools and support needed to build a better future. Our holistic approach aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on eradicating poverty, promoting gender equality, and ensuring well-being for all.
Recent Activities:
Crafting Rakhis for the
Prime Minister
Recent Activities:
Crafting Rakhis for the Prime Minister
In a powerful act of creativity and empowerment, the widows of Vrindavan recently crafted 551 special Rakhis for Raksha Bandhan, featuring themes of “Ram,” “Krishna,” and images of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. This initiative, originally launched by the late Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, seeks to break the social stigma attached to widows and encourage their active participation in cultural traditions. Among the participants was 90-year-old Mother Manu Ghosh, whose enthusiasm exemplifies the resilience and strength of these women.
This project not only highlights the widows' artistic talents but also reinforces their connection with national leaders, affirming their rightful place in society. In a touching gesture, four elderly women from the Maa Sharda Ashram in Vrindavan tied Rakhis to Prime Minister Modi, a heartfelt tradition made possible by Sulabh’s Hope Program. Led by Veeneta Verma, Program Lead, this initiative symbolizes the widows' inclusion in the nation's cultural and social life.
.png)
We offer a monthly stipend to widows, helping reduce their dependence on begging and ensuring they have a basic level of financial security.
Financial Support
Regular health camps are organized to provide essential medical care. Additionally, Sulabh has made ambulances available in both cities, allowing widows access to critical healthcare services within and outside the city.
Healthcare Initiatives
Our Model for Empowerment
Continuing the legacy of
Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, our volunteers engage with widows through personal interactions, offering emotional support through activities like singing, dancing, and sharing stories. These activities foster a strong sense of community and belonging.
Emotional and Social Support
Literacy programs empower
widows by teaching them to
read and write, enhancing their
self-worth and independence.
Educational Opportunities
We offer training in skills such as stitching, incense stick making, candle making, and garland crafting. These activities not only provide the widows with an income but also help them move away from street begging, fostering economic independence and a sense of purpose.
Vocational Training
.png)
.png)
The Plight of Widows in
Vrindavan and Varanasi
In the sacred cities of Vrindavan and Varanasi, thousands of widows find themselves abandoned, marginalized, and forced to endure severe hardships such as poverty, neglect, and social isolation. Many of these women struggle to access basic necessities like food and medical care. The conditions are dire, with reports of widows suffering from starvation and being denied proper funeral rites. A study by the National Commission for Women highlights the extent of their exclusion from social and economic life, leaving them to live in conditions devoid of dignity and hope.
Restoring Dignity and Hope
Sulabh International is deeply committed to transforming the lives of widows in Vrindavan and Varanasi. Our comprehensive support aims to restore their dignity, improve their quality of life, and empower them to rebuild their futures with confidence and hope.
.png)
On March 12, 2025, the historic Gopinath Temple in Vrindavan turned into a vibrant celebration as hundreds of widows defied age-old social taboos to play Holi. Once forbidden from participating in festivities, these women embraced the festival of colors, marking a significant step towards empowerment and social inclusion.
Thanks to the vision of the late Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Sulabh International initiated the Holi of Hope in 2013, breaking centuries-old taboos and restoring dignity, joy, and inclusion to thousands of widows. What began as a symbolic event has now grown into a powerful movement of empowerment and social change.
Breaking Barriers with Colors: Widows of Vrindavan Celebrate Holi
Recent Activities:
“This celebration is a testament to the progress we have made in changing societal perceptions,” said Sulabh International President, Kumar Dilip. “We will continue our efforts to ensure they live with dignity, joy, and hope.”
This year’s Holi celebration saw widows, once shunned by society, draped in white sarees, now drenched in gulal (colored powder) and flower petals, singing bhajans and dancing in a festival they were once denied.
Beyond the celebrations, Sulabh International’s Hope Foundation Program continues to provide widows with financial assistance, healthcare, education, and vocational training, ensuring that empowerment extends far beyond festivals.
Recent Activities:
Crafting Rakhis for the
Prime Minister
In a powerful act of creativity and empowerment, the widows of Vrindavan recently crafted 551 special Rakhis for Raksha Bandhan, featuring themes of “Ram,” “Krishna,” and images of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. This initiative, originally launched by the late Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, seeks to break the social stigma attached to widows and encourage their active participation in cultural traditions. Among the participants was 90-year-old Mother Manu Ghosh, whose enthusiasm exemplifies the resilience and strength of these women.
This project not only highlights the widows' artistic talents but also reinforces their connection with national leaders, affirming their rightful place in society. In a touching gesture, four elderly women from the Maa Sharda Ashram in Vrindavan tied Rakhis to Prime Minister Modi, a heartfelt tradition made possible by Sulabh’s Hope Program. Led by Veeneta Verma, Program Lead, this initiative symbolizes the widows' inclusion in the nation's cultural and social life.
Continuing the legacy of
Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, our volunteers engage with widows through personal interactions, offering emotional support through activities like singing, dancing, and sharing stories. These activities foster a strong sense of community and belonging.
Emotional and Social Support
Literacy programs empower
widows by teaching them to
read and write, enhancing their
self-worth and independence.
Educational Opportunities
We offer training in skills such as stitching, incense stick making, candle making, and garland crafting. These activities not only provide the widows with an income but also help them move away from street begging, fostering economic independence and a sense of purpose.
Vocational Training
We offer a monthly stipend to widows, helping reduce their dependence on begging and ensuring they have a basic level of financial security.
Financial Support
Regular health camps are organized to provide essential medical care. Additionally, Sulabh has made ambulances available in both cities, allowing widows access to critical healthcare services within and outside the city.
Healthcare Initiatives
Our Model for Empowerment
Recent Activities:
Breaking Barriers with Colors: Widows of Vrindavan Celebrate Holi
On March 12, 2025, the historic Gopinath Temple in Vrindavan turned into a vibrant celebration as hundreds of widows defied age-old social taboos to play Holi. Once forbidden from participating in festivities, these women embraced the festival of colors, marking a significant step towards empowerment and social inclusion.
Thanks to the vision of the late Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Sulabh International initiated the Holi of Hope in 2013, breaking centuries-old taboos and restoring dignity, joy, and inclusion to thousands of widows. What began as a symbolic event has now grown into a powerful movement of empowerment and social change.
“This celebration is a testament to the progress we have made in changing societal perceptions,” said Sulabh International President, Kumar Dilip. “We will continue our efforts to ensure they live with dignity, joy, and hope.”
This year’s Holi celebration saw widows, once shunned by society, draped in white sarees, now drenched in gulal (colored powder) and flower petals, singing bhajans and dancing in a festival they were once denied.
Beyond the celebrations, Sulabh International’s Hope Foundation Program continues to provide widows with financial assistance, healthcare, education, and vocational training, ensuring that empowerment extends far beyond festivals.
Breaking Barriers with Colors: Widows of Vrindavan Celebrate Holi
.png)
Recent Activities:
On March 12, 2025, the historic Gopinath Temple in Vrindavan turned into a vibrant celebration as hundreds of widows defied age-old social taboos to play Holi. Once forbidden from participating in festivities, these women embraced the festival of colors, marking a significant step towards empowerment and social inclusion.
Thanks to the vision of the late Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Sulabh International initiated the Holi of Hope in 2013, breaking centuries-old taboos and restoring dignity, joy, and inclusion to thousands of widows. What began as a symbolic event has now grown into a powerful movement of empowerment and social change.
“This celebration is a testament to the progress we have made in changing societal perceptions,” said Sulabh International President, Kumar Dilip. “We will continue our efforts to ensure they live with dignity, joy, and hope.”
This year’s Holi celebration saw widows, once shunned by society, draped in white sarees, now drenched in gulal (colored powder) and flower petals, singing bhajans and dancing in a festival they were once denied.
Beyond the celebrations, Sulabh International’s Hope Foundation Program continues to provide widows with financial assistance, healthcare, education, and vocational training, ensuring that empowerment extends far beyond festivals.