Help for ‘nowhere’ brides
The Ministry of Overseas Affairs and the National Commission for Women bring out pamphlets and booklets to provide
guidance to women who have been deserted by NRI spouses
Indian-origin politician from Brampton, Canada, Ruby Dhalla, interacts with victims
of fraud marriages during a visit to India
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As the part of the
effort to help women deserted by their non-resident Indian (NRI)
husbands, the government has brought out booklets on safeguards,
legal remedies and whom to approach for redressal of grievances.
Besides the
booklet Marriages to Overseas Indians, the Ministry of
Overseas Indian Affairs has brought out a pamphlet, Thinking
of the marriage of your daughter with an NRI? to highlight
precautions to be taken before entering into a marriage with an
NRI man.
In addition, the
National Commission for Women (NCW) the coordinating agency for
dealing with the issues pertaining to NRI marriages, has brought
out a pamphlet Problems Relating to NRI Marriages - Dos and
Don’ts.
The pamphlet
describes problems related to NRI marriages and suggests
precautionary measures for Indian women considering marriage to
an NRI or a Person of Indian Origin (PIO). The NCW has also
brought out a report on problems relating to NRI marriages,
titled The ‘Nowhere’ Brides.
A scheme was
launched in 2007 to provide, through the Indian missions, legal
or financial assistance to Indian women deserted or divorced
overseas. The scheme was subsequently revised. The scheme would
be available to Indian women who have been deserted by their
overseas Indian or foreign husbands or were facing divorce
proceedings in a foreign country, subject to the following
conditions:
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The marriage
of the woman has been solemnised in India or overseas with
an overseas Indian or a foreigner
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The woman is
deserted in India or overseas within 15 years of the
marriage
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Divorce
proceedings are initiated within 15 years of marriage by her
overseas Indian or foreign husband
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An ex-parte
divorce has been obtained by the overseas Indian or foreign
husband within 20 years of marriage and a case for
maintenance and alimony is to be filed by her.
The release said
the scheme would not be available to a woman having a criminal
case against her, provided that a criminal charge of parental
child abduction shall not be a bar if the custody of the child
has not yet been adjudicated upon.
It said that
assistance will be limited to $3,000 per case in developed
countries and $2,000 per case in developing countries and will
be released to the empanelled legal counsel of the applicant or
Indian community association or women’s organisation or
concerned non-government organisation. — IANS
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