This woman lives in a widow’s shelter at Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, India. Like everywhere, India is a country riddled with prejudices against women & reportedly widows are isolated & shunned & expected to renounce earthly joys. They do not normally celebrate Holi, a spring festival also known as the festival of colors or of love, which is rooted in Hinduism but now celebrated all around the world.

There are many photos every year of the wonderful Holi celebrations but this one taken at the widow’s shelter stands out for her beauty & the defiance of the widows by bringing holi happiness into their own lives.

(Photo by Ahmad Masood/Reuters)