There are approximately 33 Million widows in India. Most of them experience deprivations and discriminations on a daily basis, suffering from severe depressions because of the absence of emotional and social support and isolation. Widows are socially stigmatized and traditional superstitions make them being regarded as inauspicious.They are banned from religious ceremonies and weddings. Most of them are not able to support themselves and become economically and socially dependent on their children, which often face problems in sharing their resources with the mother. The mother itself becomes a burden and often gets abandoned. Living in oppressive and sometimes hostile environments, they come to the holy cities like Vrindavan in order to devote themselves to Lord Krishna and to find salvation and peace. But all too often reality paints a different picture. Being victims of rejection and discrimination they depend mainly on begging, singing devotional songs and charity.
