National

Holi of Hope for Widows: Embracing Color and Defying Tradition

Published

11 months ago

March 12, 2025

In a remarkable celebration of joy and empowerment, widows in Vrindavan transcended longstanding traditions by commemorating Holi within the historic Gopinath Temple on Wednesday. Hundreds of widows donned vibrant colors, danced to Krishna bhajans, and joyfully engaged in the festivities with flower petals and gulal (dry colors).

A decade ago, such festivities would have been unimaginable. Widows in Vrindavan faced ostracism from their families, deemed inauspicious, and excluded from social and religious events. Yet today, dressed in white sarees, they gathered in large numbers at the 700-year-old temple to reclaim their place in society, participating in a Holi celebration organized by Sulabh International.

The tradition of Holi for widows started in 2013, thanks to the late Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, a renowned social reformer and founder of Sulabh International, who sought to empower these marginalized women and reintegrate them into the social fabric. His vision aimed to restore dignity and normalcy to their lives.

Carrying forward his legacy, Sulabh International President Kumar Dilip emphasized his dedication to improving the lives of widows. “This celebration reflects our progress in transforming societal attitudes. The widows’ active participation in traditional rituals like Holi is a sign of growing social acceptance. At Sulabh, we will continue our efforts to help them live with dignity, joy, and hope,” he stated.

The change in Vrindavan began in 2012 when the Supreme Court of India appointed Sulabh International to oversee the care and welfare of these abandoned women. Since that intervention, their lives have improved significantly, with better living conditions, financial support, and social inclusion.

India’s history of activism for widow rights dates back to the 19th century, with pioneers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy advocating against sati and Pt. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar championing widows’ right to remarry. Inspired by this legacy, Dr. Pathak devoted his life to dismantling the social stigma surrounding widows and promoting their equality.

Today, the Holi celebration in Vrindavan stands as a symbol of transformation, breathing new life into those who once lived in solitude and despair. The hope is that each year’s festival will add more colors to their lives, making the dream of a more inclusive society a lasting reality.

National

Three Burned Alive as Car Falls from Bridge in Gujarat’s Rajkot

Published

1 week ago

January 31, 2026

Namma Kudla

Gujarat: A tragic accident claimed the lives of three people in Gujarat’s Rajkot district on Monday.A car fell from a bridge and caught fire, killing all occupants on the spot.

The incident occurred on the Gondal–Atkot highway.The car was travelling from Chhota Udepur towards Gondal.

According to reports, the vehicle hit the bridge’s safety barrier.After the collision, the car fell nearly eight feet into a small stream below the bridge.

Soon after the fall, the car caught fire.The occupants were trapped inside the vehicle and were unable to escape.All three were burned alive and died at the scene.

Police and fire personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information.The fire was later brought under control.The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.

The exact cause of the accident is under investigation. Further details are awaited.

National

Girl Records Reels Inside Jail, Video Sparks Debate

Published

1 week ago

January 30, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bhopal: A young woman has come under public attention after recording reels inside a jail while meeting her boyfriend.

The incident happened at Raipur Central Jail in Chhattisgarh, which is known for high security. Mobile phones are strictly not allowed inside the jail. Despite this rule, the woman carried her phone into the visitor room.

She recorded videos while talking to her boyfriend during the meeting. In the video, she speaks emotionally about visiting him on his birthday. She says she feels sad because she cannot stay with him on his special day.

After the meeting, she uploaded the video on her social media account. The video quickly went viral on different platforms. The inmate seen in the video is identified as Tarakeshwar.

He is currently lodged in Raipur Central Jail. He is an accused in a case under the NDPS Act. The incident has raised serious questions about jail security.

People on social media are criticising jail staff and officials. Many users are asking how a mobile phone was allowed inside the jail.

They are also questioning the checking process at the jail entrance. So far, jail authorities have not given any official reaction.

National

MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

Published

4 months ago

October 6, 2025

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.