Re: A Rejoinder To Sarita Sarvate - Sex Trade Flourishing in Vrindavan
Posted by Preet Mohan S Ahluwalia on Wednesday, 3/06/2002 7:44 PM MST

STATUS AND MIGRATION PATTERN OF WIDOWS IN VRINDAVAN http://www.bhoruka.org/aids/vrindavan.htm According to the 1991 Census of India, there are 33 million widows in India. This is 8 per cent of the total female population, or one out of every 13 women. Large section of these widows are living in religious point like Vrindavan, Varanasi, Mathura, Hardwar, Puri and mobility to these religious point is a on going process. These places are not only have a high population of widows but also accommodates many destitute women. Different justifications have been given for the exodus like "dedication to the almighty" and search of "Moksha". These widows/destitute women are living in very oppressive conditions, depending mainly on begging, singing bhajans and prostitution for survival. It is observed that West Bengal has earned the dubious status of having the highest rate in the exodus of old and helpless women. OBJECTIVES The present study was aimed at understanding the different factors causing the migration of widows/destitute women from West Bengal to Vrindavan and the adjacent area of Gokul, Barsana, Goverdhan and Radhakund collectively called Brijbhumi., The purpose of the study was divided in to three main objectives: * Understanding present status/situation of the widows in the ashrams of Vrindavan. * Understanding the pattern of migration of these widows * Identifying measures for their rehabilitation. METHODOLOGY The study was started in October 2000. A total sample of 191 widows and destitute women was selected in the study. For collection of information, the entire sample was divided in to various categories like widows/destitute women above seventy years, young widows, adolescent girls etc. Several secondary population groups like Pandas and ashram owners, NGOs working for marginalized women in Mathura and Vrindavan, bank officials (of NABARD, of the Cooperative Banks, of nationalised banks), District Magistrate and Assistant District Magistrate, women police officers, members of the Municipality prominent social workers were also interviewed. Given the nature of information required, the study was structured using qualitative and quantitative research methods. Inputs from the National Foundation of India were also taken in formalising the methodology. FINDINGS The report highlights that the previous assumption that women migrate to a place like Vrindavan primarily because it is perceived to be a religious place giving religious solace is incorrect. The findings reveal that only 25% of the women migrating to Brijbhumi were doing so with the desire to become a devotee. * For the rest of the migrants the reasons for migration there mainly related to the family dynamics and social and economic factors. * Large section of the respondents said they had moved here because they were not able to adjust with members of their family like daughter-in-law or parents-in-laws. * Most of the migrants had come to Vrindavan alone. There are many women staying here alone and without any familial support in any form. Nearly 80% women had no contact with their family. Many of the women staying alone are under the mercy of the all-powerful pandas. * In Vrindavan nearly 80% of the widows have come from West Bengal, (especially the district of Nadia -- nearly 22%). Other districts are Murshidbad, North and South 24 Pargana and Purulia. Many Bengali women migrating to Vrindavan come from Vaishnav families. Historically bengalis from the Vaishnav tradition have had strong ties with Vrindavan. After W Bengal migration from states like Orissa and Bihar is prominent. * Bhajanashrams like the Bhagvan Bhajanashram are playing a lead role in the lives of the widows and destitute women. The findings of the study show that nearly 78% of the women relied on Bhagwan bhajanashram either entirely or partially for their survival. * Sexual exploitation is prevalent. This is due to the general phenomenon of insecurity of women who have to stay alone and without any support. The sevadasi system, very much a part of institutional religion has been mentioned by many studies in the past. According to this system the women are expected to serve God, the priests and the pilgrims in every way possible, so as to attain salvation. Not many respondents directly referred to this being their prime religious belief actuating sexual subjugation. Apart from Sewa dasi phenomenon, to whatever extent, other forms of sexual exploitation also exist. Sex trade in Vrindavan is flourishing. Interview with local gynecologist and doctors reveal that there are frequent cases of abortions and STD amongst destitute women or widows . * The study also points out that an entire network of traffickers is based here. They traffic girls from West Bengal, Orissa and Bihar and sell them in Hariyana, Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh. * For the widows the sources of sustenance and income are singing bhajans, begging for alms and prostitution. The most prevalent form of income is begging. Singing bhajans in the bhajanashrams for eight hours each day results in some food or money. The average monthly income varies between Rs 350 and Rs 400. Government help in the form of pensions or grants is very meagre and available to a very few. * Based on the findings of the study, one can say that the overall status of the widows in Vrinadavan is far from satisfactory. Only 30 % are living in free accommodation and their living conditions at best are very inadequate. They fall ill frequently and have to visit the Government hospital or the local Rama Krishna Mission hospitals because medicines are free. FUTURE STRATEGY Any strategy to rehabilitate the widows in Vrindavan has to be two pronged. One is to improve their living conditions within Vrindavan as most widows have shown reluctance in moving out from Vrindavan. It was observed that 90% had no desire to go back to their native place. Due to apathy there is an air of surrender amongst the widows. Their present condition is sublimed to be the wishes of Radha rani - a common response is "Radha Rani ki yahi iccha hai to ayisa hi hoga". The Bhagvan Bhajan ashrams should become more sensitive to the condition of the widows and destitute and take steps to improve their lot -- nearly 70% of them showed a willingness to improve their situation provided workable options become available. Nearly 40% of the widows had some vocational skill, which have to be utilized in income generation. Secondly if this issue needs to be addressed in its totality, one has to strike at the root of the problem. A situation has to be created in which women will not be forced to leave their homes and move miles away just for survival. This will involve intensive social intervention by GO's, NGO's, welfare organisations and involvement of even enlightened religious heads A vital factor will be to disseminate in the areas from where migration originates the pathetic conditions of the widows/destitute women who move to Brijbhumi.

[Next Main Document]

by Date (Threaded) Expanded Collapsed by Date (Flat) by Category by Author