Women in Nandwal celebrate a widow on international womens day- no one left behind

[Jayashri Kamble]

March 8th... Across the world this day is celebrated as 'Women's Day' with great enthusiasm. In some places, speeches are delivered, while in others, garlands are exchanged. However, the women of Nandwal village in Kolhapur district decided to do something different and path-breaking this year. Two women's self-help groups (SHGs) in the village came together and decided that this year's Women’s Day should not be limited to a mere celebration, but should be observed by bringing joy into someone’s life.


A Helping Hand and a Mark of Respect
They had a needy widowed sister from their own village in mind. Following her husband's passing, she had been struggling immensely to steer the household single-handedly. There was no one in the house to provide strong support. Both self-help groups decided to provide this mother with a full month's grocery supply, aiming to lighten the burden on her shoulders.

On the day of the event, it wasn't just about the groceries; she was also formally honored with a new saree. In a society where widows are often sidelined from auspicious occasions or Haldi-Kumkum ceremonies, these women gave her a place of great respect.
"Until today, no one had ever invited me to such a program with such warmth. In places where there is a Haldi-Kumkum ceremony, people like us are not given respect. But seeing the love you have given me today, my heart is full," the woman said, breaking into tears.
Seeing her eyes well up, all the women present drew her close and comforted her. "You are not alone; we are all standing right behind you,"—when she heard these words, a unique sense of peace appeared on her face.

Honoring Local Heroes
During the same event, other women working tirelessly for the village were also honored:
CRP Tejaswini Rumale and Krishi Sakhi Sonali Patil were felicitated in recognition of their hard work.
Jayashri Kamble, who is always at the forefront of social work, was also specially honored.
For the first time in the history of Nandwal village, Women’s Day was celebrated in such a sensitive manner. By providing a compassionate support system to someone in need, rather than just indulging in small talk and meals, these self-help groups are being praised by the entire village. The program concluded with all the women sharing snacks together, ending the day on a note of positive energy. In the truest sense, by a woman honoring another woman, a new path for humanity has been forged.