Lighting up lives

“We have been creating self-employment groups by forming teams of these women whom we train them in different vocations,” said Anupam Das,state coordinator of the organisation.

A team of 10 have put up a stall at Hotel Kenilworth where visitors have shown interest in buying designer candles ahead of Diwali.

Das said looking at the demand,plans are afoot to produce and sell candles during Christmas as well.

The NGO would take care of marketing the products.

Commenting on the initiative,Ruchira Gupta,founder and president of the NGO,said: “The candles made by women of Kidderpore red-light area is a symbol of hope,asking society to celebrate all women and not just goddesses on Diwali.”

One of the workers,who got involved with the NGO some two years ago,said although what she earns is “barely enough”,the initiative has made her life “a lot peaceful than what it used to be”.

“Initiatives like these would go a long way in helping these women who do not have an idea on how to go about leading their life once they land here. They deserve a respectable life,” she said.