Anasuya Sarabhai became a fighter for the rights of textile factory workers
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The Better India
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Anasuya Sarabhai became a fighter for the rights of textile factory workers

After society denied her the right to follow her dreams, her brother supported her aspirations. Years later, the sister, who was helped to receive an education, became 'Motaben'—the elder sister to thousands of workers whose rights she championed.

Anasuya was born in 1885 into the wealthy Sarabhai family in Ahmedabad. At the age of nine, she lost both parents. She was not allowed to receive a formal education, and at thirteen, she was married against her will.

The marriage was unhappy, and Anasuya eventually left and divorced her husband. When she wanted to study, her brother Ambalal Sarabhai supported her dream and sent her to England in 1912.

At the London School of Economics, Anasuya became acquainted with socialist ideas and the suffragette movement, which fought for women's right to vote. Upon returning to India, she gained a new understanding of inequality, rights, and the necessity of social reforms.

Returning to Ahmedabad, she opened a school and a kindergarten, and then established homes for mothers and hostels for young women from low-income backgrounds. However, her biggest fight was yet to come.

Anasuya witnessed the harsh conditions under which factory workers were living and began organizing demands for higher wages and improved working conditions. Even when this struggle put her in opposition to her own brother, who represented the interests of the factory owners, she did not back down.

She became an innovative figure in the Indian labor movement and contributed to the creation of the Mazdoor Mahajan Sangh, which later became known as the Ahmedabad Textile Workers' Union. The workers affectionately called her 'Motaben'—the elder sister.

Perhaps the most beautiful part of Anasuya Sarabhai's story is that her brother gave one sister the freedom to dream. She dedicated the rest of her life to fighting so that countless others could also dream, learn, and live with dignity.

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Datia Collector Swapnil Vankhede Celebrated Raksha Bandhan in Poor Part of City with Family
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Datia Collector Swapnil Vankhede Celebrated Raksha Bandhan in Poor Part of City with Family

Collector Swapnil Vankhede visited a poor area of the city with his wife and son to celebrate the Raksha Bandhan festival with local families, women, and young girls.

Women and little girls from this area tied protective threads on the wrists of the collector and his son with great warmth and tenderness. During the visit, the collector not only learned about their lives but also accepted blessings by touching the feet of the sisters, which touched everyone present.

Sharing photos of this beautiful moment, Collector Swapnil Vankhede wrote a touching message: 'When sisters and little girls from a poor area lovingly tie rakhis, why shouldn't Raksha Bandhan be special? Because the true beauty of festivals lies not only in traditions but also in the relationships and kinship they create. Today we celebrated Raksha Bandhan in the poor part of the city with family. Sisters and little girls from the poor area tied rakhis on me and my son with great love and tenderness. My wife also participated in these beautiful moments. The joy on the faces of the little girls, the tenderness of the sisters, and the sense of community made this Raksha Bandhan truly special for us. Some relationships are given at birth, and some are formed through such small threads of tenderness.'

Videos and photos of this heartfelt gesture by Datia Collector caused a wave of praise on social media. Users highly appreciated his humility and upbringing. One user wrote: 'Sometimes the pride, selfishness, greed for money and power that arises in our heart disappears when you see you... Great Sir!'

Another user commented: 'We have seen many politicians and officials tying rakhis, but today we saw you tying a real rakhi. The respect you showed the sister by touching her feet is priceless and much more than money and gifts.'

Yet another commenter noted: 'This scene reminds every heart that regardless of position, one should not deviate from one's duties and moral principles.'

Elderly woman murdered and jewelry stolen in elite Jangpura neighborhood of Delhi
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Elderly woman murdered and jewelry stolen in elite Jangpura neighborhood of Delhi

A brutal murder of a 70-year-old elderly woman has been reported in the elite Jangpura neighborhood of Delhi. The incident occurred in the Pantnagar area, where the woman, named Preeti Kumar, resided. According to reports, the perpetrators broke into the house with the intent to rob and killed the woman.

The murder came to light this morning when Preeti Kumar's daughter visited her mother. The door to the house was unlocked. Upon entering, the daughter discovered her mother in a bloody state in the bedroom. There was disarray in the house, and several items, including jewelry, were missing.

The deceased's daughter stated that a robbery had taken place in the house. After receiving the information, the police arrived at the scene and began an investigation. Currently, the police are examining CCTV footage and continuing a comprehensive review of the case.

The victim's son-in-law, Dipak, reported that Preeti Kumar had lived in this house since approximately 1985. At that time, she had one daughter about one and a half years old and another daughter about two and a half years old. After her husband's death, Preeti raised both daughters independently. She worked diligently to raise the children and arrange their marriages. After her daughters got married, she lived alone in the house.

According to Dipak, the son-in-law, when his daughter arrived home, Preeti Kumar was lying in the bedroom with signs of severe injury. He specified that the woman was strangled, and there were signs of a struggle on her face, while her hands were tied. Relatives described it as an extremely cruel and inhumane killing, emphasizing that jewelry and other items were missing from the house, which raises suspicion of a robbery motive.

It is reported that during the crime, the perpetrators locked the doors of some neighboring houses from the outside before fleeing. Following the revelation of the incident, an atmosphere of fear and shock arose among the residents of the area. The police are investigating who committed the attack and how the criminals managed to enter the house. Surveillance footage in the vicinity is also being examined.

The murder of an elderly woman in a prestigious neighborhood raises questions about the safety of senior citizens. Dipak, the son-in-law, stated that the government needs to take measures to ensure the safety of the elderly. Preeti Kumar spent most of her life in this house; after her husband's death, she raised both daughters alone and arranged their weddings.

After her daughters got married, she lived alone, but now she was murdered in her own home. Following the incident, the police intensified the investigation. Footage from surrounding surveillance cameras is being reviewed. The police are investigating all aspects related to the murder and robbery, and the area is currently in shock. The police are working on the investigation and searching for evidence related to the crime.

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