Faced with hardships, widows in Palamu seek wings to fly
2
Daltonganj: In the heart of Daltonganj, a poignant gathering unfolded, echoing the silent cries and resilient hopes of many who have walked the path of loss.
The air was thick with emotion as stories of heartache and strength intertwined, painting a vivid tapestry of the struggles faced by widows in a society that often turns a blind eye.
Among them was Shobha Kumari, whose voice trembled with the weight of her plea, a mother yearning for her children, a woman seeking justice in a world that branded her unjustly.
On Monday, Daltonganj hosted an event to mark International Widows' Day, attended by govt officials and approximately 70 widows. The theme for this year, "Empower Her, From Loss to Leadership," the event aimed to provide a platform to widows to share their experiences and challenges.
The event was organized by Avinash Dev under the banner of the social outfit, Pahal. Dev emphasised the importance of creating a space where widows could voice their stories and seek support.
Shobha Kumari shared her harrowing experience of being ostracized by her family, highlighting the societal stigma that often accompanies widowhood.
She appealed to the authorities for assistance in reuniting with her children, who are currently in the custody of her mother-in-law.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Alarma con cámara a precio especial en Entre Ríos (ver oferta)
Verisure Alarma
Empieza ahora
Undo
In response to her plea, officials assured that her case would be referred to the district legal services authority for further assistance. The event also highlighted success stories, such as that of Puja Kumari, who remarried and is now living a fulfilling life.
District social welfare officer Neeta Chouhan said that the state govt offers a fiscal incentive of Rs 2 lakh to encourage the remarriage of widows. Five such cases were recorded across the district last year.
Dev called on the state govt to increase the financial incentive for remarriage from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh, aiming to provide greater support and opportunities for widows seeking to rebuild their lives.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
12 minutes ago
- Time of India
Vakri Shani Approaches Rahu: Love Life Turmoil Predicted for These 6 Zodiac Signs
From 13th July to 28th November 2025, Saturn, known as Shani in Vedic astrology, goes retrograde in Pisces, and it's set to shake things up, especially in matters of the heart. Saturn retrograde is a time when the karmic taskmaster forces us to confront what isn't working, especially in our long-term relationships. While everyone will feel the cosmic shift to some degree, certain zodiac signs are likely to experience more turbulence, delays, and emotional growing pains in their love lives than others. To understand the depth of this transit, it's important to look at the nature of both Saturn and Pisces. Saturn is the planet of karma, responsibility, boundaries, and life lessons. When it turns retrograde, it's as if time slows down so we can revisit, revise, and repair areas we've neglected or mismanaged. This includes romantic patterns, emotional boundaries, and how we handle long-term partnerships. Retrograde Saturn strips away illusions and demands maturity. On the other hand, Pisces is a dreamy, emotional, and spiritual sign, connected to unconditional love, illusion, fantasy, and escapism. When Saturn moves retrograde in this deeply emotional water sign, it creates a tension between fantasy and reality, asking us to question whether our love lives are built on truth or illusion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Telidesk Saved My Business Undo Let's take a closer look at the zodiac signs that will experience the greatest turbulence in love during this 138-day period. Gemini For Gemini, Saturn's retrograde hits the area of career, reputation, and long-term goals, but indirectly impacts your emotional security. You may find yourself prioritising work so heavily that your personal life begins to suffer. Your partner may feel neglected, unseen, or emotionally disconnected from you. This period forces you to confront whether your ambition is costing you emotional intimacy. If you're single, you may delay love due to professional focus. Geminis must learn to balance emotional availability with external success to maintain harmony in love. Leo The fiery Leos will experience relationship turbulence as Saturn retrograde impacts intimacy, secrets, and transformation. Saturn's retrograde through this area brings power struggles, trust issues, and emotional blockages to the surface. If you've been keeping secrets from a partner—or vice versa—they're likely to be exposed. This is also a time when old sexual trauma or deep-seated fears around vulnerability may emerge. Leos are known for their pride, but Saturn demands humility and honesty now. True love will only survive if it's rooted in emotional transparency and shared growth. Virgo Virgo gets hit directly, as Saturn retrogrades through the area of committed relationships and marriage. If you're in a partnership, it could be tested like never before. You may feel coldness, detachment, or emotional distance growing between you and your partner. Any cracks in your relationship will become unavoidable during this period. For some Virgos, this will be a time of hard conversations and emotional honesty. For others, it may lead to separation or the realisation that you're settling. Saturn demands that you seek truth and emotional alignment—nothing less. Sagittarius Sagittarians will face an internal storm as Saturn retrograde activates the life areas of emotional roots, family, and home. This placement stirs up unresolved childhood wounds or past family traumas that begin to seep into your current relationships. You may feel emotionally isolated or burdened, even if you're in a committed relationship. If past emotional baggage hasn't been fully processed, it can lead to misunderstandings or emotional withdrawal. Sagittarians are advised to focus on inner healing and address old patterns to break free of karmic loops. Aquarius For Aquarius, with Saturn retrograding through the area of values and self-worth, you're being called to evaluate your sense of value in love relationships. You may begin to see that your current relationship doesn't align with your evolving values. Financial issues may also play a role, with emotional imbalance stemming from who provides more or who feels underappreciated. You might also find yourself questioning your self-worth and whether you're truly being valued by your partner. This period is about strengthening inner confidence and learning not to compromise your core values for emotional convenience. Pisces For Pisces, this transit impacts identity, self-worth, and how you project yourself to the world. With Saturn turning retrograde here, it's not just your relationship that's being challenged—it's your sense of self. You may find yourself questioning your role in your love life, becoming more withdrawn or emotionally distant. There can be a loss of identity in a relationship, or a realisation that you've been people-pleasing or self-sacrificing to keep the peace. This is a time to realign with who you really are and learn how to prioritise self-love before seeking it from another. While these six signs— Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo, Pisces, Leo, and Aquarius —will experience the brunt of the turbulence, all zodiac signs will feel Saturn's retrograde energy in some area of their emotional or romantic life. Common themes during this time include emotional withdrawal, delays in commitment, resurfacing exes, karmic reckonings, and the need to mature spiritually. You may also feel stuck or blocked in love, but that stagnation is Saturn's way of encouraging reflection rather than impulsivity. To make the most of this period, slow down and do not rush into new relationships. If you're already in a relationship, use this time to have honest conversations and work on emotional patterns. Avoid texting exes unless your intention is closure or healing. Keep a journal to track recurring emotional loops or triggers. The lessons you learn now will serve as a foundation for stronger, more authentic love once Saturn turns direct on 28th November 2025. Saturn retrograde in Pisces isn't a curse—it's a cosmic opportunity. It may feel like the end of love, but it's often the end of illusion. This is a time to strip away fantasies and get real about what you need in a relationship. If you're willing to face the truth, do the inner work, and stay grounded, this transit can transform not just your love life, but your entire emotional identity. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
When a 6-year-old led fund-raising campaign for underprivileged girls
Bengaluru: On an early morning in late April, over 20,000 runners hit the road for the annual TCS World 10K here. Many put on impressive performances, with 11 of them cracking the elusive sub-30-minute mark. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In the crowd was someone equally impressive — six-year-old Abigail Lisa, who was cheering her father Joshua from the sidelines. Abigail was the leader of a campaign that raised over Rs 3.2 lakh for NGO Reaching Hand's underprivileged girls' initiative. "Nine years ago, I was a runner who raised funds, now I feel like a fundraiser who runs," said Joshua, a seasoned runner and IT professional. Abigail's mother, Mounika, also an IT professional, is involved in fundraising efforts too. Last year, the family raised almost Rs 1.5 lakh toward the same cause. Abigail, an avid football fan, was designated "kindness leader" and helped raise funds through various methods. "I reached out to my neighbours, friends, church people," said the class 1 student, who made videos and created an online appeal to gather contributions from friends and family. "We have been blessed with two little girls, so it hurts even more to see those who don't have anyone or any place to stay," said Joshua when asked why the campaign focussed on the cause of underprivileged girls. The idea to involve Abigail in the campaign stemmed from the desire to start teaching her the importance of social work. "Causes like these drive our country, and we feel it is important that younger children like Abigail are aware of them," said Mounika. "She will grow up knowing there are groups that aren't as lucky as we are, and she will learn to stand up for them." "Nothing is impossible, that is what we have learned from this experience," said Joshua, proud of how far the family's fund-raising efforts have come over the last decade. "I learnt there are little girls who sleep in the cold and are bitten by mosquitoes, and they suffer so much. We must help poor people and give them a better future," said Abigail, reflecting on the journey of the campaign. — Aryan Thumboochetty
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Defunct state women commission a concern in J'khand: Union min
M inistry of women and child development minister and Koderma MP Annapurna Devi talks to Kritika Tiwary on her agenda and ongoing efforts to uplift women and children nationwide. Excerpts: How many women and child development projects are currently active in Jharkhand? At present, there are over 37,815 anganwadi centres in the state. Of them, more than 16,700 centres have been approved under the Saksham Anganwadi initiative, which includes facilities like clean drinking water with RO systems, LED lights, Poshan Vatika (nutrition gardens), and water harvesting structures. These upgrades aim to provide a healthier environment to children and mothers. How effective is the women and child related schemes in the state? Twenty four districts have active 'One Stop Centres', and approval has been granted for 11 more in large or underserved districts. These centres support women in distress. Women can call the 181 Women Helpline. Upon receiving the call, the team tracks the location and immediately dispatches support. We also have counsellors and legal aid (DLSA) tied up with every centre. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Every district has a dedicated women empowerment hub. Are there specific projects for children in need of protection? Yes, there are over 50 Child Care Institutions (CCIs) in the state that cater to both CNCP (children in need of care and protection) and CCL (children in conflict with law). Separate facilities exist for boys and girls, and we also coordinate with Childline 1098. What financial schemes are provided under the PMMVY in state? Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, the state has provided benefits to approximately 9.3 lakh women. For the first child, mothers receive Rs 5,000, and for the second child (if a girl), they receive Rs 6,000. In the last financial year alone, Rs 421 crore was disbursed directly to beneficiaries. Beneficiaries can now self-register digitally for schemes. Are any new infrastructure projects sanctioned recently? Seven new working women hostels have been sanctioned in Jharkhand. We've also approved Palna-cum-creche facilities at anganwadi centres. Has the Centre assessed Jharkhand's performance? Yes. Performance varies across schemes. States like Haryana (Palna), Tamil Nadu (hostels), and Gujarat (nutrition) are doing well in respective areas. In Jharkhand, despite progress, the absence of a state women's commission for the past 6 years is a concern.
