Gladys Staines
Gladys Staines (born c. 1951) is the widow of Australian missionary Graham Staines. Graham Staines was burnt alive along with their two sons Philip (aged 9) and Timothy (aged 7) by Bajrandal activist in Odisha, India on 22 January 1999.
Shortly after the sentencing of the killers, Staines issued a statement saying that she had forgiven the killers and had no bitterness towards them.[1] In 2004, she decided to return to Australia to stay with her daughter and father. She however said that she would continue to look after the people she and her husband had been looking after so far.
In 2005, she was awarded the Padma Shri, a civilian award from the Government of India, which drew negative protests from many people in the country.
External links
- "Kalam meets Gladys Staines", 15 May 2003
- "No comments, says Gladys Staines", 15 September 2003
- "Gladys Staines may leave India forever" - Times of India article, 14 July 2004
- "Gladys Staines bids adieu to India" - Times of India article, 15 July 2004
- "Gladys Staines leaves India promising to return"