Shunned Widows Flock to City to Die.

Cosmic · 07-05-2007, 02:41 PM

Quote:

VRINDAVAN, India (CNN) -- Ostracized by society, India's widows flock to the holy city of Vrindavan waiting to die. They are found on side streets, hunched over with walking canes, their heads shaved and their pain etched by hundreds of deep wrinkles in their faces.

These Hindu widows, the poorest of the poor, are shunned from society when their husbands die, not for religious reasons, but because of tradition -- and because they're seen as a financial drain on their families.

They cannot remarry. They must not wear jewelry. They are forced to shave their heads and typically wear white. Even their shadows are considered bad luck.

Hindus have long believed that death in Vrindavan will free them from the cycle of life and death. For widows, they hope death will save them from being condemned to such a life again. Watch how some widows are rebelling »

"Does it feel good?" says 70-year-old Rada Rani Biswas. "Now I have to loiter just for a bite to eat."

Biswas speaks with a strong voice, but her spirit is broken. When her husband of 50 years died, she was instantly ostracized by all those she thought loved her, including her son.

"My son tells me: 'You have grown old. Now who is going to feed you? Go away,' " she says, her eyes filling with tears. "What do I do? My pain had no limit."

As she speaks, she squats in front of one of Vrindavan's temples, her life reduced to begging for scraps of food.

There are an estimated 40 million widows in India, the least fortunate of them shunned and stripped of the life they lived when they were married.

Go here for the rest: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapc...ows/index.html

Fred_Fury · 07-05-2007, 02:52 PM

damn dirtyleggers

KALEL114 · 07-05-2007, 02:55 PM

Wow, just wow. You learn something new everyday about different cultures.

Sensi · 07-05-2007, 03:15 PM

This is so sad. Where is the love in people's hearts?

SolidSnakeMGS · 07-05-2007, 03:24 PM

I know we shouldn't condemn or criticize other cultures, but when you read **** like this, you can't help but to think how backwards and stupid some things are. All cultures have their bad sides, like extreme Islamics, boarder jumping Mexicans, thug gangsta blacks, etc.

Goddessreicho · 07-05-2007, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolidSnakeMGS

I know we shouldn't condemn or criticize other cultures, but when you read **** like this, you can't help but to think how backwards and stupid some things are. All cultures have their bad sides, like extreme Islamics, boarder jumping Mexicans, thug gangsta blacks, etc.

Western European colonial imperialism... Yep, all terrible ideas in the long run. Somebody pure of heart and flawless should wag a finger at them. Or get some celebrities to campaign for them. That usually does the trick.

BONO CHEADLE AND FRIENDS TO THE RESCUE!

SWAT · 07-05-2007, 03:50 PM

I think we should use the same method...

Jack Rabbit · 07-05-2007, 03:56 PM

Great tradition.

SLVRSR4 · 07-05-2007, 03:59 PM

they do what they feel is best

odiin · 07-05-2007, 04:00 PM

Serves them right. They should have died before their husbands did. Women need to learn their place.

Holly · 07-05-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odiin

Serves them right. They should have died before their husbands did. Women need to learn their place.

you need to be neutered.

CConn · 07-05-2007, 04:03 PM

Western Europe/North America (except Mexico)/Australia/Japan > World.

Showtime · 07-05-2007, 04:03 PM

Wow that is a very interesting story.

The Lizard · 07-05-2007, 04:15 PM

We must respect this countries' particular tradition, just as we do other "different" traditions like female circumcision...

Oh, wait....

ServantofAllah · 07-05-2007, 04:19 PM

Say hello to third world countries.

Wolfwood · 07-05-2007, 05:23 PM

I have a few Indian friends and I'm going to have to ask them about this, because they all seem so family oriented, they take care of each other and I know there are a few widows in the family. They weren't raised in America either, they've only been in the country for 10 years. I wonder how hey feel about all this.

Manic · 07-05-2007, 05:29 PM

This doesn't exactly strike me as a huge cultural tradition. It looks like these women were selfishly abandoned simply because their families didn't think they could afford to feed them. I bet if these were rich Indian families, those women would still be at home.

Fred_Fury · 07-05-2007, 06:47 PM

They should burry the widows along with their dead husbands.

07-05-2007, 02:52 PM	#2
Fred_Fury Side-Kick Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,450	Re: Shunned Widows Flock to City to Die. damn dirtyleggers

07-05-2007, 02:55 PM	#3
KALEL114 Usuario Baneado SHH! Global Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Here Posts: 14,654	Re: Shunned Widows Flock to City to Die. Wow, just wow. You learn something new everyday about different cultures. __________________ My apologies Lady Jackson, I am quite sincere. It was not in my wishes to provoke thy daughter's sadness, I apologised numerous times. - @ShakespeareSong 100 IIII IIII IIII IIII IIII IIII IIII IIII IIII IIII IIII

07-05-2007, 03:15 PM	#4
Sensi me SHH! Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 19,555	Re: Shunned Widows Flock to City to Die. This is so sad. Where is the love in people's hearts? __________________ "Let your soulshine it's better than sunshine, better than moonshine and damn sure better than rain" Adam Hood-Soulshine

07-05-2007, 03:24 PM	#5
SolidSnakeMGS Banned User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spartanburg SC USA Posts: 5,589	Re: Shunned Widows Flock to City to Die. I know we shouldn't condemn or criticize other cultures, but when you read **** like this, you can't help but to think how backwards and stupid some things are. All cultures have their bad sides, like extreme Islamics, boarder jumping Mexicans, thug gangsta blacks, etc.

07-05-2007, 03:50 PM	#7
SWAT Posse Magnet Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Norway. Posts: 6,746	Re: Shunned Widows Flock to City to Die. I think we should use the same method... __________________ -James Ransone for Weasle in DЄΛDPOOL- \|So Why Then, Has All My Life Made No Sound? - And Are Your Eyes Closing... Even Now? My Life Made No Sound - I Fear Your Eyes Closing\|

07-05-2007, 03:56 PM	#8
Jack Rabbit i roll twenties Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: huh Posts: 15,101	Re: Shunned Widows Flock to City to Die. Great tradition. __________________ Uh

07-05-2007, 03:59 PM	#9
SLVRSR4 Side-Kick Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 3,256	Re: Shunned Widows Flock to City to Die. they do what they feel is best

07-05-2007, 04:00 PM	#10
odiin Side-Kick Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,872	Re: Shunned Widows Flock to City to Die. Serves them right. They should have died before their husbands did. Women need to learn their place.

07-05-2007, 04:03 PM	#12
CConn Fountainhead of culture. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Peter North's Southern Headquarters Posts: 57,433	Re: Shunned Widows Flock to City to Die. Western Europe/North America (except Mexico)/Australia/Japan > World. __________________ It's like a non-consecutive 24-hour dance party.

07-05-2007, 04:03 PM	#13
Showtime Accomplishing Wonders SHH! Global Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Location: The Sky Posts: 40,702	Re: Shunned Widows Flock to City to Die. Wow that is a very interesting story. __________________ ThinkMcflyThink.Com

07-05-2007, 04:15 PM	#14
The Lizard Didn't eat Billy Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 15,579	Re: Shunned Widows Flock to City to Die. We must respect this countries' particular tradition, just as we do other "different" traditions like female circumcision... Oh, wait....

07-05-2007, 04:19 PM	#15
ServantofAllah Side-Kick Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UAE Posts: 290	Re: Shunned Widows Flock to City to Die. Say hello to third world countries.

07-05-2007, 05:23 PM	#16
Wolfwood Shasta McNasty Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chino, California Posts: 11,805	Re: Shunned Widows Flock to City to Die. I have a few Indian friends and I'm going to have to ask them about this, because they all seem so family oriented, they take care of each other and I know there are a few widows in the family. They weren't raised in America either, they've only been in the country for 10 years. I wonder how hey feel about all this. __________________ Something wicked this way comes. Henchman for Shadaloo AVATAR BY AxlsAppetite

07-05-2007, 05:29 PM	#17
Manic No Bueno Join Date: May 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 34,034	Re: Shunned Widows Flock to City to Die. This doesn't exactly strike me as a huge cultural tradition. It looks like these women were selfishly abandoned simply because their families didn't think they could afford to feed them. I bet if these were rich Indian families, those women would still be at home. __________________ The Doctor: "SHOUT?! I DON'T SHOUT!! People who have to resort to shouting to get what they want are merely demonstrating the inherent paucity of their argument! It's something THAT I NEVER NEVER--" Peri: "ALRIGHT, DOCTOR!!" The Doctor: "Point made, I think."

07-05-2007, 06:47 PM	#18
Fred_Fury Side-Kick Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,450	Re: Shunned Widows Flock to City to Die. They should burry the widows along with their dead husbands.

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