A step from red light to ramp

And the way they sashayed down the ramp charmed not only the crowds but also the panel of judges headed by film-maker Goutam Ghose. ‘‘So many times I have got offers to become a judge of beauty contests and fashion shows but I have always refused. But today I have come here because I support the cause. That sex workers are not pariahs and they should get our respect. When I heard about the fashion show I was a bit amused. But when I saw this I was surprised. None of them cut a sorry figure and some of them really walked with elan,’’ Ghose said.Apart from Ghose, the jury had theatre personality Rudraprasad Sengupta, actress Swathilekha Sengupta and fashion designer Sumita Sinha.

The women, of course, did not sport any designer outfits but were clad in sarees, salwar kameezs and ghagra cholis. ‘‘I felt uneasy at first but the crowd was very supportive. This kind of exposure gives us courage and confidence,’’ Parvathi said as she waved at the crowd.

Sitara said: ‘‘Everyday we put on garish make-up and entertain our customers. But today the make-up is not for our livelihood but for some art, at least that is what I regard this to be, and I feel I can also do something.’’

The show was organised by Durbar Mahila Samithy (DMS), an NGO working for the rights of prostitutes which is celebrating its 12th anniversary. Among those who participated in the show today, there was one from Canada and two from New Zealand.

‘‘The show was not a gimmick,’’ Mrinal Kanti Dutta, DMS project director, said. ‘‘This is all part of our ongoing efforts to empower sex workers, to enable them to feel they too have potential to excel in various fields,’’ Dutta said.