A hearty change for sex workers at this session

The participants laughed on at least a dozen different laughters under the guidance of Kishore Kuvavala,chairman,Priyadarshini Laughter Club International. “Since it the first time for them,most participants were intently involved in the session,” he said.

Hema,and four other participants — Feroza,Saraswati,Kalyani and Archana — won prizes for being the most dynamic participants. The session was organised by Saheli HIV/AIDS Karyakarta Sangh,along with Priyadarshini Laughter Club International and People’s Health Organisation,a medico-social organisation from Mumbai.

“A CSW is constantly under threat from the society,police,pimps and customers. Hence,a laughter therapy like this is would help them beat the day-to-day stress,” said Dr I S Gilada,honorary secretary,People’s health Organisation. The laughter session will not just help the CSWs,but also their children. Most of them tend to vent their anger and depression on their children. Laughter therapy will help them in driving out anger in the right way,Gilada said.

According to Tejasvi Sevekari,director,Saheli,this was a first step toward introducing laughter therapy in a CSW’s routine life. “We plan to incorporate such sessions in our monthly meetings. Forming a ‘Budhwar Peth Laughter Club’ is also on cards,” she said.