India is a country where, even today, in the age of the Internet, superstitions rule (and ruin) the lives of many people. There are activists and organisations trying to get people to change their beliefs, but, it is an uphill task as these superstitious beliefs are so deeply ingrained in their minds that it takes years to bring some change.
One such organisation is the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANIS) which was founded by Dr. Narendra Dabholkar. Sadly, this fearless activist, who toiled tirelessly to change people’s mind through a scientific approach, was gunned down by those who opposed him. He passed away on August 20th, 2013. However, one of his many admirers and followers, Nandini Jadhav, the Pune district president of the organisation launched a campaign to help women get rid of their matted hair.
People believe that cutting of the hair would invite the wrath of the Gods, and so, for years together, refuse to touch their hair, comb it or even cut it. This leads to a number of health and social problems that they suffer from.
There are some of those, who secretly desire to get rid of their matted hair, but face opposition from their family members for fear of a curse.
But, Nandini Jadhav, despite facing stiff opposition and threats to her life, launched this campaign to help women chop off their matted hair and live a better, healthier and happier life.
Do read the story of this brave woman here.
We need more such fearless Nandinis, who come forward to fight this evil called superstition and free the society from such regressive practices. It’s the people, who usually belong to the lower strata of the society who fall prey to such superstition and suffer for their entire lives, waiting, in vain, for the miracles promised to them by their “Guru”.
This post has been written for ‘We Are The World Blogfest’, an initiative to share real-life stories from the world over that speak about heroes who go against all odds to help those in need and prove it to us that the world is not such a bad place.
Do post any such stories you might come across on your blog and share them widely on social media. We all know we could do with some positivity in a world that can often get dark and frightening.
Hard to believe these superstitions still flourish in the 21st century! 😮 Kudos to those brave ones who are trying to affect change. How sad that one was assassinated!
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Yeah! Wonder what sort of lives those in the rural areas lead! I so wish for people to change their way of thinking and let people help them make the change.
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Wecome back to WATWB, Shilpa. Thanks for posting Nandini’s story—we need more people to stand up against superstitions.
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We so need such heroes!
Thanks, Damyanti! WATWB gives me a chance to read some truly inspiring stories!
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Welcome back to the WATWB fam Shilpa! This is the reason I started the fest along with the others–because I needed inspiring stories!
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We really need to fight superstitions as they can destroy lives. Nandini’s story is inspiring. We need more like her
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We do need many more like her, who tirelessly work towards the betterment of our society.
Thank you for visiting, Anou di!
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Thanks Shilpa for this story and bravo Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti for initiating this movement against superstition and I am sorry to hear he was gunned down. Also, Bravo to Nandini for continuing his legacy. Matted hair once cut can possibly be sold to salons for making wigs -?
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Yes, it can, Susan, provided people are ready to get convinced to let go of their superstitions and their matted hair!
Thanks for visiting!
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Dr Dabholkar has been pioneer of change in Maharashtra but sadly there are cowards using violence to trample the voice of reason. Thanks for writing about the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti as a movement standing tall against the evil of superstition creating disharmony in society!
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It is, indeed, sad that there are those who would rather live regressive lives than let someone help them see sense and improve their lifestyle. Isn’t it, Vishal?
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Yes so true Shilpa and we can make a huge difference through simple steps 🙏
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I wasnt aware of this superstition about not combing and cutting hair. That’s so sad that some, rather many would secretly want to get rid of their matted hair. Kudos to Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti and Nandini Jadhav for helping raise awareness and giving these women a better quality of life. Thanks for sharing, Shilpa.
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I think we Indians believe too much in superstitions and hardly use logic to find the reasons behind certain things, or solutions to our problems.
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What a strange superstition. I can’t imagine why people were doing this. Kudos to people like Nandini. I wish her all success. Thanks for sharing her story.
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Yes, Rachna. We don’t really have any idea why people believe in such weird superstitions and what they gain out of it. We so need such people, like Nandini, who work to make a difference in many a life.
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Superstitions are destroying our country
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So true, even in this day and age!
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I believe this situation will change only through proper education
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True, for only education will drive away illiteracy–the root cause of superstition.
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