Shattered by their husbands’ suicides and forsaken by their in-laws, Vidarbha’s widows can’t even turn to an uncaring state.
![The Twice Cursed](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/5/181697/57ba94c438c8f/The-Twice-Cursed_1471849719.jpg)
When she tied the knot at the age of 18, Rupali Nagapure had no regrets about settling down so early in life. Her husband Sandeep was a farmer, who grew soyabean and tur (pigeon pea) on the two acres of farmland he owned at Dongargaon in Maharashtra’s Akola district. They had their own house, and after the birth of their son, Shivam, five years ago, Rupali and Sandeep thought they had everything they could ever want. They were not rich, but they led a comfortable life. Events took a bleak turn four years ago. First, a weak monsoon destroyed their crop. Sandeep took a loan of Rs 35,000 to get through the year. The next year’s monsoon was no better, leading to another crop failure. Frustrated—and now in debt—Sandeep decided to end his life. Rupali was distraught, but took solace in the fact that she still had the farm. However, worse was to come. Her in-laws told her that they wanted her out of the house, saying they were unwilling to carry her “burden”, she says, her eyes filling with tears. “They wanted Shivam, not me. They said they would raise him, look after him. But how will I live without him?”
A shattered Rupali returned to her mother’s house in Rustamabad, some 60 km from her in-laws’ place. She now works as a farm labourer, earning Rs 100 a day to support Shivam. She is one of about 1,200 women who are the ultimate victims of ‘farmer suicide’. Women in Rupali’s position find themselves swiftly abandoned by relatives after their husbands’ deaths. And while political parties are quick to extend sympathy when a suicide of this kind makes the news, no one seems interested in the fate of the widows.
This story is from the August 29, 2016 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 29, 2016 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![THROW ME ANOTHER TEQUILA, SHEILA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/wY2GCU9k81725626354979/THROW-ME-ANOTHER-TEQUILA-SHEILA.jpg)
THROW ME ANOTHER TEQUILA, SHEILA
Move over tequila sunrise, it's time to sunset into the tequila world at the swanky new Agave Bar at Aasmana at the Ritz-Carlton Pune
![INDUS CREED](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/4coEGl4Ya1725626102905/INDUS-CREED.jpg)
INDUS CREED
The freshly minted Ziya at the Oberoi Gurgaon, simply 'shines', much like its name implies.
![THE GREEN MILE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/SbBvGfUez1725626131035/THE-GREEN-MILE.jpg)
THE GREEN MILE
SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF VOLVO'S PAST AND THE CURRENT PUSH FOR ELECTRIFICATION IS SHAPING ITS FUTURE
![WALK ON THE WILD SIDE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/HHP01HBRi1725625772858/WALK-ON-THE-WILD-SIDE.jpg)
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
Live your version of Man vs Wild in the Australian Outback. Kakadu National Park offers unrivalled natural wonders, more crocs and birds than humans and secrets and legends of the oldest living culture on earth.
![All that Sparkles](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/xBYEYrIkR1725625829832/ALL-THAT-SPARKLES.jpg)
All that Sparkles
FINE LIVING - Style, Hot Launches, Books, Watches
![TO THE MANOR BORN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/_w9aGR_J51725625727452/TO-THE-MANOR-BORN.jpg)
TO THE MANOR BORN
OFFERING AN INTIMATE STAY AND SUPERLATIVE SERVICE, KINWANI HOUSE IN RISHIKESH IS QUITE POSSIBLY THE MOST STUNNING BOUTIQUE HOTEL OPENING OF THE YEAR
![WHERE FLAVOURS CURRY FAVOUR](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/cMTFeMFv61725625640260/WHERE-FLAVOURS-CURRY-FAVOUR.jpg)
WHERE FLAVOURS CURRY FAVOUR
WITH DOLLOPS OF AUTHENTICITY, SMEARED WITH REAL FLAVOURS AND OLD WORLD INDIAN HOSPITALITY, BUNGALOW, IN NEW YORK CITY, STIRS UP PASSIONS WITHOUT THE HOOPLA AND HISTRIONICS.
![Old meets Bold](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/JCgK9qTKH1725625600321/OLD-MEETS-BOLD.jpg)
Old meets Bold
Longines Conquest Where vintage charm meets modern precision
![The Devil is in the Details](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/zggW-JT6e1725625575304/THE-DEVIL-IS-IN-THE-DETAILS.jpg)
The Devil is in the Details
One of the rare watchmaker-turned-CEOs, Breguet's Lionel a Marca has a sharp eye for details
![THE NARRATIVE OF DESIRE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5/1823646/3YLPm88qB1725625232495/THE-NARRATIVE-OF-DESIRE.jpg)
THE NARRATIVE OF DESIRE
HAUTE JOAILLERIE STYLES THAT ARE ALL SET TO SHINE FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON OF FESTIVITIES