I'm Proud Of Being A Bengalee - 5 (..In Continuation Of The Earlier) Poem by umaprosad das

Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar

Some Reviewers advised me to add something about Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar.
Hence I add a little about this great Educationalist and Social Reformer

Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar had a compassionate heart
Always vocal for women who were oppressed and hurt
The then child and adolescent Hindu widows' plight
Was the worst and most contemptuous; no way to fight
They had to live a life of self-denial and were helpless
And denied of basic pleasures of life and had no access
In any functions or festivals either in society or at home
They were considered a burden and led a life of boredom
He decided to fight against the Brahminical authorities
And took up a challenge for them as his responsibilities
He proved widow Remarriage sanctioned under Vedic rule
The British Authorities heard his pleas and cooperated in full
And the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act,1856 sanctioned
The hopeless Hindu widows re-established and positioned