The narrative of Anima Devi (name changed) is among many others. Born in the former East Pakistan, she fled with her family during the turbulent 1971 and sought refuge in West Bengal, India. Her family was given documentation and a plot of land, but she claims her brother-in-law swiftly grabbed it. Anima Devi struggled to meet her financial needs and managed to arrange her daughter's marriage. For her daughter, a landless labourer, the situation did not get any easier. The daughter was unable to provide for her aging mother due to her husband's mental health issues and the demands of caring for three children. Desperate, she gave Anima Devi a meager amount of money and suggested she go to Vrindavan, a sacred destination for widows.

So started Anima Devi's terrifying trip. She lived on the streets of Goverdhan for more than 15 years, singing bhajans to make a meager income. Over time, she developed cataracts in both of her eyes, further complicating her already precarious living conditions. Eventually a local merchant offered her refuge, but she remembers angrily that her movement—along with her two roommates—was heavily curtailed.

Still, this was only the beginning of her fight.

Amar Kumar Rai, 28, a yoga instructor from Madhu Vihar, Delhi, came across her story. Driven by her suffering, he went to Gandhi to bring Anima Devi to Delhi for treatment. Once in Delhi, though, communication proved to be somewhat difficult. "She just speaks Bangla, her mother tongue," says Mr. Singh. "She is difficult to communicate with and calls for much patience. Still, we seem to be managing."

Amar's personal life experiences led him to want to assist the elderly—especially those abandoned. Coming from a business family, his family members objected to his decision to work in social service. Determined to change the lives of the abandoned, he persisted in finishing his yoga instructor diploma despite opposition and now operates an old age home, Divya Mata Briddhasram in the Madhu Vihar area of East Delhi.

Speaking with Drug Today Medical Times, Anima Devi's treating ophthalmologist, Dr. Anidya Chakrabarty, said her cataract had become "hard," which hindered treatment. "A hard cataract is a more advanced stage where the lens becomes stiff and highly opaque." For Anima Devi, the lens had even developed a yellowish tinge, which made viewing clear colors more difficult. The stiffness and density of the lens make removal of rigid cataracts more difficult in surgery." It would take one to three months before they could safely implant intraocular lenses to restore her vision, Dr. Chakrabarty said.

Tragically prevalent in Brajdham, the holy site containing Vrindavan and Mathura, which has earned the terrible epithet "the city of widows," is Anima Devi's story. Drawn to the promise of spiritual peace, thousands of widows swarm Brajdham year after year only to encounter neglect, poverty, and abandonment most of the time.

Particularly in rural areas of India, widows face social shame and are sometimes viewed by their relatives as a burden after their husbands' death. In patriarchal societies, where women's identity and security are dependent on their husbands, widowhood robs them of their dignity and sense of belonging. Families, reluctant to shoulder the "burden" of a widowed mother, sister, or daughter-in-law, often abandon these women. Seeking tranquillity in their last years, many of these women travel to sacred sites, including Vrindavan and Mathura.

They nonetheless discover a life of poverty. Many widows end up destitute, begging on the streets or singing bhajans in ashrams in exchange for a few meals. Despite providing basic shelter, these ashrams often overcrowd and fail to address the welfare and health requirements of the women.

These women deal with some serious health issues. Widows with limited access to medical treatment suffer from hunger, respiratory infections, and arthritis, among other chronic conditions. One instance of the neglect and lack of resources making it almost impossible for Anima Devi to get appropriate treatment is her declining vision.

Supported by UNFEM, a 2015 Guild for Service poll revealed the appalling situation these women find. Many widows know nothing about the government programs designed to offer healthcare and financial support. Even with this knowledge, utilizing these services poses a significant challenge. Bureaucratic red tape and the complex documentation required to qualify for benefits prevent these women from receiving the much-needed assistance.

Under the National Social Assistance Program (NSAP), several welfare programs, including the Annapurna Scheme and the Indira Gandhi National Widows Pension Scheme, abound. Still, these initiatives suffer from inefficiencies. For instance, although the Indira Gandhi National Widows Pension Scheme offers widows between the ages of 40 and 64 financial support of Rs 200 per month, this is insufficient to keep them going. Moreover, many qualified widows find it almost impossible to negotiate the system or know their rights.

Many of the estimated 40 million widows in the nation, including those in Brajdham, do not receive their entitlement pension. Forty percent of these widows are older than 50; hence, they qualify for many government programs designed for senior citizens. Still, many reside in far-off places and lack the tools or knowledge required to gain from these initiatives.

The suffering of widows such as Anima Devi underscores the urgent need for more sensible social safety nets. While local activists such as Amar Singh and NGOs are making a significant contribution, a greater effort is required. The government has to simplify welfare program access to guarantee these women are not left behind in a labyrinth of bureaucracy. Addressing the societal stigma associated with widowhood is crucial, as it exacerbates their pain and leads to their abandonment.

"We must respect these women in places like Brajdham, where social and spiritual aspects converge. They require emotional support, healthcare, and—above all—respect; food and shelter are not enough. India has to act more to guard its most defenceless people against the grip of poverty, solitude, and neglect," says Rai.

Though tragic, Anima Devi's narrative also illustrates the need for compassion. It serves as a reminder that individuals such as Amar Singh continue to strive for change despite overwhelming obstacles. Still, the weight of this issue cannot be entirely on their shoulders. Government agencies, social organisations, and society at large should unite in their efforts to ensure that the widows of Brajdham, India, spend their final years in peace, dignity, and love.