Widows to get free copter ride today

In honour of their resilience and untiring efforts in ensuring a decent career for their children in the absence of their husbands, Shivshakti Women’s Association, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in association with the Managing Director of India Media Links and Event Management, K. Ravi, has organised a free helicopter ride for widows hailing from ordinary family backgrounds.

Every year, for the past 18 years, the NGO has been organising events in an unique manner to mark International Women’s Day. This time, they have chosen to felicitate widows from ordinary homes, who have raised their children against all odds.

A member of the NGO, Panchasheel Shirsat, on Tuesday said that the widows will be taken in turns for a free helicopter ride covering all of Mumbai between 11 am and 2 pm. “This year, we have decided to honour widows who have toiled hard to raise their children, making them doctors, engineers and professionals.”

“Until now, we have received names of more than 21 such widows from Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai,” added Mr Shirsat. Among those getting a free helicopter ride are: Satyavatibai, Vatsalabai, Shardabai and Panchfulabai, all from Mumbai and surrounding areas.

Later in the evening, the widows will narrate their life experiences and how they raised their children in the face of adversity at Bharatiya Vidyalaya, Gate number 7, near Sion Hospital.