The Widow Colony
    The Project

The Widow Colony project aspires to serve the victims and the survivors. There are three objectives:

• Documentation – Comprehensive documentation (text and video) of all victims
• Rehabilitation – Psychological, emotional, and physical empowerment
• Livelihood – Vo-tech training, creative potential, and employment

The project is at an infant stage whose original impetus was provided by Patwant Singh and Harvinder Singh Phoolka in New Delhi. We conducted a preliminary study of what is required. Sach Productions collected information form two Delhi based documentation centers and consent to train them. Sikh Research Institute consulted with local psychologists, administrators, and Sikh activists to ascertain the feasibility of this project. In terms of livelihood, few industrialists have expressed interest in providing jobs. Though commendable, it will require special care for both the survivor and the provider needs to be oriented with challenges. The Institute will work with specialists in their respective fields to assure its successful completion. For example, collaboration with Ensaaf will ensure the documentation integrity. The primary needs are as follows: A Project Manager in New Delhi and initial funding of $100,000. This will accomplish two things: a comprehensive documentation of all widows of November 1984 and a pilot study for rehabilitation of about 10 families (30-40 individuals in same locale).

If you are interested in this project, please contact us at twc@sikhri.org.