livelihood for the empowerment of widows

It was the first day of the Ashad (mid-July) month. In the Himalayan village of Bhukki, Kashika donated a cow to a young widow Vinita Devi (30 yrs), to help lead her life in a better way. Vinita Devi had two children, the elder studying in the 7th standard and younger in the 5th standard. 

This is in continuation of Kashika’s project of providing livelihood for the empowerment of widows. 

The family was dependent entirely on agriculture and being unable to cope up with the economic conditions, Vinita Devi’s husband committed suicide. The economic condition of the family worsened after this. In the Himalayan Gharhwal region women do not remarry as per tradition. Thus, Vinita Devi at such a young age had to face many challenges. 

A cow is an integral part of the village life here and donating such a milking cow helped Vinita Devi regain financial independence. In Indian culture ‘Go-Daan’ or the donation of cow is considered as one of the most important forms of giving. In our tradition, it is also believed that those donating the cows are also greatly purified by this act.

There are many such cases like Vinita Devi in the Himalayan villages and Kashika will continue this project so as to help as many widows as possible.