Elderly Indian widows pray on bank of Ganga river

An elderly Indian widow cleans rice sitting in the front of her small living quarters in an Ashram, on the bank of Holy river Ganges in Varanasi, India , Sunday, April 28, 2013. In India, being a widow remains one of the worst stigmas. When her husband dies, the widow often becomes a pariah, excluded from family gatherings for fear the mere fall of her shadow will bring bad luck and tragedy. In the North, many journey to the holy cities of Vrindavan and Varanasi, where they beg, and are paid a pittance to recite prayers in the temple as they wait for the end. Sulabh International, an NGO, on Sunday launched it’s campaign against the treatment of widows in India by adopting 150 neglected widows of Varanasi, taking care of their basic needs from food to health care.

Elderly Indian widows pray during a function organized by Sulabh International on the bank of Holy river Ganga in Varanasi, India , Sunday, April 28, 2013. <AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh>