Gladys Staines

Gladys Staines (born 1951) is the widow of Australian missionary Graham Staines. Graham Staines was burnt alive along with their two sons Timothy (aged 9) and Philip (aged 7) in Orissa, India on January 22 1999.

Shortly after the sentencing of the killers, Gladys issued a statement saying that she had forgiven the killers and had no bitterness towards them. [http://www.hindu.com/2003/09/23/stories/2003092305471200.htm I have forgiven them: Gladys Staines]

In 2004, she decided to go 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. This drew protests from right-wing organisations in the country.

External links

* [http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/jan/24inter.htm Interview by rediff.com in 2000]
* [http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/may/15oris.htm "Kalam meets Gladys Staines"] - rediff.com article dated May 15 2003
* [http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/sep/15staines1.htm "No comments, says Gladys Staines"] - rediff.com article dated September 15 2003
* [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=778487 "Gladys Staines may leave India forever"] - Times of India article dated July 14 2004
* [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow/778847.cms "Gladys Staines bids adieu to India"] - Times of India article dated July 15 2004
* [http://in.rediff.com/news/2004/jul/15oris.htm "Gladys Staines leaves India promising to return"] - rediff.com article dated July 15 2004