Widow, vidvah now dead words, declares NHRC
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

New Delhi, March 28: In a "small gesture" to lend dignity to women, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today directed state governments not to use expressions like `widow', vidvah and beva while addressing the wife of a dead person.

Considering a proposal from an NGO, NHRC said "in place of expressions like widow, vidvah, beva and the like, normally used to address wives of dead persons, expressions such as wife of late zauja mahroom or dharampatni of swargiya or wife of shaheedvir (for those whose husbands had sacrificed their life for the cause of the nation) should be used by governments for all official purposes, specially in the official records."

The proposal by the Uttam Environment Awareness Mission (UEAM), an NGO from Jammu and Kashmir, had requested the NHRC that the existing nomenclature for addressing a widow used in the records of revenue departments, schools, employment exchanges and other areas, be declared as `dead words' for the unfortunate women, who lose their life partners.

"It was felt that when she (spouseless) was already grief-stricken, referring to her with unpleasant words added further to her depression and created a psychological crisis in her," the NHRC order said, adding "it was also felt that this small gesture by the government and society would enthuse and encourage her to lead a dignified life in society."

Agreeing with their proposal, NHRC has given the necessary directions.

Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.