A bill for protection of Indian women being abandoned or abused in NRI marriages was filed in Rajya Sabha by Minister of External Affairs, Hon. Smt. Sushma Swaraj on Feb. 11th 2019. This is a first of its kind and what a wonderful way to celebrate Valentines and Mrs. Swaraj’s birthday, by gifting women with help when they need it the most.

As per Saheli, non profit in Boston area supporting domestic violence victims, they helped 182 clients in 2016  with 11 Advocates and case load growing 16 to 20 % each year. 2012 -2015, Saheli served over 577 survivors by creating  individualized safety plans and providing referrals to housing, legal, economic, immigration and mental health resources *.  As former volunteer of Saheli I formed the Donate A Cell Phone program so women could get free cell phones with 3000 minutes to call for help.  

Passage of NRI Marriage bill will go well with IVAWA, International Violence Against Women Act, a bill introduced by Senator’s Jeanne Shaheen & Susan Collins  which helps define US policy on these issues. I hope the US Postal Service & U.N. will issue a stamp for Domestic Violence Awareness on my proposal’s marking 25th Anniversary of VAWA, Violence Against Women Act author'd by former VP Joe Biden, this year.

* Data provided by Saheli.

* *Kumu Gupta is recipient of MA Governor & Norfolk County District Attorney Citations & 2011 President’s Citizens Medal (White House) nominee for many years of volunteer work helping domestic violence victims.

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