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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
From Margins to Movement: The Legal Awakening of India's Widows and Single Women
Avid readers of Shakespeare may recall the melancholic musings of Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night — yearning for love in a world that objectified women. Literature across centuries, from Brontë's Jane Eyre to Tagore's Chokher Bali, has revealed a recurring truth: that women have long struggled to find their voice in patriarchal societies. While modern India has made significant strides in empowering women — with leaders at the forefront of politics, science, and social change — there remains a large, often invisible group still battling for dignity: India's widows and single women. Through its collaboration with the field research collective Kacheri Diaries, 5 Points Chambers has already supported vital legal literacy efforts — including recent groundwork in Urali Kanchan, Maharashtra, where rural widows and single women were informed of their land and succession rights for the first time. It's no surprise, then, that the work of Ekal Nari Shakti Sansthan (ENSS) — or The Organisation of Strong Women Alone — struck a powerful chord. What began as a grassroots movement in Rajasthan has now caught the attention of 5 Points Chambers, leading to a transnational collaboration rooted in shared values: justice, dignity, and access for all women, regardless of geography. Across India's rural landscape, particularly in conservative states like Rajasthan, single women — whether widowed, divorced, separated, or older and unmarried — face systemic exclusion. They are frequently denied access to family property, ostracised by society, and left without any real path to economic independence. While courts across India are over burdened with unresolved cases, there are countless women who cannot even access the system. Their stories never reach the courtroom. These are women who, despite having legal rights to property, livelihood schemes, or entitlements, are simply unaware — or unable — to claim them. In many cases, widows are left without family support, social standing, or even basic information on their rights. That's where ENSS steps in. Founded in Rajasthan, the organisation has been working tirelessly since 2002 to support single women, including widows, separated and abandoned women, and older unmarried women. What started as a state-level gathering of 450 widows in 1999 has grown into a full-fledged movement with single women themselves in leadership roles. At the helm is Chandrakala Sharma, a fierce advocate for gender equity and land rights, who has helped shape ENSS into a model of grassroots feminism rooted in dignity, access, and solidarity. ENSS's mission is bold and transformative: to ensure that every single woman, regardless of caste, religion, or class, can live as an empowered citizen with full access to legal, social, and cultural entitlements. As their legal awareness grows, these women are transforming their communities — helping others obtain access to electricity, clean water, government schemes, open education programmes, and skills training. They champion fair wages, push for individual MGNREGA cards as household heads, and demand respect not as victims, but as change-makers. Despite a strong constitutional and legal framework, enforcement remains the biggest barrier. Under Indian law, widows have rights to their husbands' property, and daughters have equal inheritance rights after the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005. Yet many women — especially in rural India — are unaware of these laws or lack the documents, support, or social power to enforce them. According to ENSS, widows often face opposition from their in-laws, who seek to evict them from family land. False accusations — branding them as 'unlucky are used to push them out of their homes and strip them of dignity. Separated and abandoned women fare even worse: they may have lived and worked on land for decades without a shred of legal entitlement, especially if no formal divorce has been obtained. The law still leaves many women behind. For instance: separated or abandoned women — whose husbands have left or disappeared — have no legal claim to marital property without a formal divorce. Divorced women may also lack legal recourse unless property is specifically awarded in settlement. Unmarried daughters, despite legal rights to parental property, often face societal resistance in asserting those rights. 5 Points Chambers, a UK-based law firm, is committed to advancing mediation and grassroots justice. As advocates for non-adversarial dispute resolution and equal access to justice, we collaborate closely with ENSS and partner initiatives like Kacheri Diaries, whose vital fieldwork has laid the groundwork for legal awareness in rural communities. Together, we aim to raise awareness and give a stronger global voice to their cause. Transformative legal awareness must be built from the ground up — starting with the most silenced voices. Legal schemes exist, but awareness doesn't. And this flaw remains all too common across rural and suburban India. As Chandrakala Sharma, head of ENSS, puts it: 'We are not just helping women survive — we are helping them reclaim what is rightfully theirs. Once a woman realises her rights, she is no longer alone.' As India moves forward with landmark reforms like the Mediation Act, let us not forget the women left furthest behind. The ENSS model teaches us that justice is not merely the domain of courts — it begins in fields, in villages, and in the quiet assertion of dignity by women who have refused to be broken. Susheel BellaraBarrister and Founder, 5 Points Chambers, London, UK Note to readers: This article is part of HT's paid consumer connect initiative and is independently created by the brand. HT assumes no editorial responsibility for the content, including its accuracy, completeness, or any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to verify all information independently. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
From Dudh shukto to Hemkonikar payesh: Tagore's Thakurbari's recipes brought alive again in 3-day festival
Long before restaurant menus and fusion trends, Bengal's culinary identity was crafted in homes like that of Rabindranath Tagore. Dishes such as uchchhe bori diye dudh shukto, bhaja muger dal pora, hemkonikar payesh, and kochi pathar jhol once graced the poet's table and reflected a kitchen steeped in refinement and tradition. Now, in an effort to revive these lost flavours, the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDCL) is bringing back this rich gastronomic legacy through a three-day food festival titled 'Banglar Shabekiyana Thakurbarir Ranna (Bengal traditional cuisine of Tagore's family)' to be held from May 9 to 11. This festival, curated as a tribute to Bengal's timeless food heritage, will present four elaborate thalis each day. The vegetarian option, lovingly named 'Chokher Bali,' will serve up classics like fulko luchi, narkel kuchi diye cholar daal, bori diye ucchey dudh shukto, kachalonka diye posto bata, bhaja muger daal pora, Thakurbarir chanar pulao, echorer kofta, kacha aamer chatni, papor, and end with sweets like shorbhaja, Hemkonikar payesh, and mishti paan. Alongside this are three non-vegetarian thalis, each representing a unique flavour palette. Like vegetarian thalis, non-vegitarian thalis are also named after Tagore's novels. 'Ghare Baire' celebrates chicken preparations, including the legendary Goyalondo steamer curry paired with basanti pulao and traditional accompaniments. 'Punoscho' is a seafood lover's delight with sorshey pabda and the rich Thakurbarir chingrir malaikari or doi katla, all thoughtfully paired with nostalgic sides. 'Sesher Kobita,' the mutton thali, features kochi pathar jhol, a delicate, flavourful curry of tender goat meat and potatoes, highlighting the depth of Bengal's slow-cooked traditions. The menu offers more than just meals—it tells stories. 'The menus were selected from the tradition of Thakurbari. Thakurbari means not only Rabindranath Tagore. It's a long history from Dwarakanath Tagore to Devendranath Tagore, Rabindranath Tagore and Rathindranath Tagore. We tried to capture that tradition in food culture. Thakurbari has jamindari in Shilaidaha which was in East Bengal, but they also used to be interested in the food culture of Kolkata as well. On the other hand, the majority of wives of Thakurbari were from Jashore, which also belongs to East Bengal. So, there is a mixture of culture in food and we tried to explain that in this festival,' said a senior official of the state Tourism department. Dudh Shuktani, for instance, is a mildly spiced medley of milk, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, sweet potato, and mustard seeds, infused with the distinctive aroma of panch phoron. Thakurbarir aloo dum, cooked in ghee with a hint of hing and ginger paste, offers warmth and subtlety in every bite. Bhaja motor dal pora, made from roasted yellow split peas blended with mustard oil, green chillies, and onions, is shaped into crisp fritters that bring texture and heart to the plate. Each dish is rooted in the cultural fabric of Bengal, offering not just taste but also memory. What makes the experience even more inviting is its accessibility. Priced between Rs. 525 and Rs. 730, these generously portioned thalis are designed to be enjoyed by all. The festival will run in four locations simultaneously—Bolpur (Shantiniketan), Bankura (Bishnupur), Barrackpore (Mongoldhara), and Bidhannagar (Udayachal)—with dining slots open from 12 pm to 3 pm and again from 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm. A senior official from WBTDCL noted that 'this initiative serves a dual purpose, it honours the culinary traditions of Jorasanko Thakurbari while also showcasing the talent and potential of the tourism department's own culinary wing.' He said, 'To deepen the immersive feel of the event, all staff will be dressed in traditional Bengali attire—dhoti and panjabi—bringing back the sights and spirit of a bygone era.' For anyone seeking authenticity, history, and the comforting embrace of true Bengali cuisine, this festival promises a rare opportunity to travel back in time—one plate at a time.
The Hindu
29-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Tagore's own institution neglects printing his books; many popular titles out of circulation
Many of Rabindranath Tagore's books appear neglected by the publishing arm of his own institution, Visva-Bharati, with numerous titles under his authorship, including the flagship 18-volume Rabindra Rachanabali, being out of print for over a year now. With the aesthetically printed university-published titles missing from the market, private players are profiting from the neglect by selling their own versions. 'A book like Gora is not available. A book like Sanchayita is not available. This is unbelievable, totally unbelievable!' eminent educationist-writer Chinmoy Guha, professor emeritus of University of Calcutta and former Vice-Chancellor of Rabindra Bharati told The Hindu. 'It looks like Visva-Bharati officials are not even aware of their books not being in the market. Nobody is talking about it. Even books like Chokher Bali, Chhelebela, Char Adhyay, Jogajog are not to be found. These are all part of our heritage — such beautifully printed books. Nobody seems to be noticing they are missing,' Prof. Guha said. Visva-Bharati set up its publishing arm, Granthan Vibhaga, in 1923, mainly to print Tagore's major works and circulate his ideas and literature across the globe. The department is currently based in Kolkata and until recently had two outlets in the city: one on College Street and another on Bidhan Sarani, which closed down in 2022. 'Major works out of print include Sanchayita and Sishu. Important textbooks like the full set of Sahaj Path have not been published regularly, resulting in huge loss of revenue over the last one year. The full set of his biography Rabindra Jibani is out of print as are several volumes of Swara Bitan, something so essential for Rabindra Sangeet practitioners,' said a source in Visva-Bharati. 'All this has led to private publishers gradually taking over the profitable space that Granthan Vibhaga once occupied. There is also a clear lack of sales strategy. A few years earlier there had been an attempt to promote online sales but at present there seems to be not much effort in this matter. Of the two shops in Kolkata, the one that is still open seems to be in a state of decline,' the source said. Visva-Bharati has not responded so far as to why such iconic books have remained out of print for over a year. But insiders blame it mainly on lack of planning as far as sales is concerned. Another major issue, according to them, has been the absence of a permanent director and the apathy of the production section. 'Even a year after the previous Vice-Chancellor left, there has not been a single new publication by the Granthan Vibhaga. A proposal was mooted earlier to transfer the production section from Kolkata to Santiniketan so that concerned departments interact better to plan new volumes on Tagore, but this has not been followed up,' an employee said.
