THE MUKTI MISSION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 20, 19 May 1909, Page 16

THE MUKTI MISSION.

CHILD-WIDOWS AND ORPHANS OF INDIA. •Pandita Ramabai’s mission to the child widows of India, though comparatively unknown to many, is yet one of the greatest missionary movements of the twentieth century. A high-caste Brahman widow of high scholastic attainments herself, Pandita Ramabai, converted to the Christian faith some 25 years ago, at once began to do what she could for the evangelisation of India, and thus help to bring about the amelioration of the conditions of the unfortunate childwidows and orphans of that vast and densely-populated country. In 1889 she established a home for child-widows and orphans, and her work has so increased that at present the buildings and recreation grounds of the home at Mukti, Poona district, India, cover some 14 acres, and provide shelter for no fewer than IGOO inmates, who have been thus rescued from the most abject forms of slavery and suffering, and in many cases rescued from being inmates of the temples, which means lives of shame. The Pandita and the workers associated with her aim at •training the young women and girls sheltered in the home, mentally, morally, and spiritually. They are kept well employed in the various forms of industry, and after receiving a thorough training go out as teachers or Bible women to work in different missions, and many of them get married and settle happily in their own homes. Many of the younger girls go out in bands to visit the villages around and itinerate in the country districts and visit the places of pilgrimage for the purpose of preaching the Gospel to the women pilgrims. Specially trained leaders are required for this work, but very few are available, and many of these girls, who might otherwise be doing good work, are prevented from labouring in the cause. The Pandita is now appealing for 200 European workers in order that the work commenced might- go forward. How great are the demands for women workers may readily be seen from the fact that 40,000,000 of India’s women are shut up in Zenanas, and there are no fewer than 26,000,000 of widows in India, of whom 391,147 are under 15 years of age, 115,885 under ten years, 19,481 under five years, 1064 under 12 months. To meet' the present needs of the institution, £2O is daily required, for which the Pandita depends solely on voluntary contributions. Further information regarding the mission may be obtained from Miss Seamen, care of Y.W.C.A, Auckland, who is the Auckland secretary, or from Mrs. George Mackenzie, Queenstown, Otago, the general secretary of the New Zealand Auxiliary Council of the mission.