Need to safeguard NRI's brides: Peshawari

Chandigarh, Jan 13: There is a steep rise in domestic violence and harassment against Indian brides, especially from Punjab region who are married to NRIs by their parents who fall for the dollar bait, said US based immigrant lawyer and social activist Anu Peshawari.

While releasing her book 'Immigrant's Dream' Ms Peshawari, younger sister of retired top cop Kiran Bedi, said there was an urgent need to extend legal help and support to the tortured NRI's brides. ''Through my book I have addressed these problems through real life stories of women who have braved humiliation and fought for what is rightfully theirs,'' said Ms Peshawari who is founder of India Vision Foundation and USA Seva legal Aid Foundation.

''The real life horror stories of these tortured women in the book can serve as warnings. Through real stories, this book takes a step forward in creating awareness about the dos and donts of NRI marriages.'' She said her organistion, Seva Legal Aid provides free legal advice to the Indian community in the US on issues concerning Indian Law, Indian, matrimonial issues and immigration problems.

''My endeavor has been to provide professional advice and guidance to both enlighten and empower these women to take control of their situation and find ways to deal with their immigration and adjustment problems,'' she said.

Ms Peshawari, who was also an international level tennis player, on being asked about her sister's decision of taking VRS from the Police Services, said, ''Now she will have enough time and freedom to serve the society, both of us are planning to do a lot of things together for society.''

UNI