"All I want is a honourable life"

“I was brought to Sangli from Mallegiri village in Karnataka. Now customers are after me. They want to grab the first opportunity to paw me. I am very frightened. I want to save myself and lead an honorable life. Sir, please help me,” the girl pleaded with Kareer, her eyes filled with tears.

About a week later, Shanta is all set to be a proud factory worker, thanks to Kareer, who has joined hands with an industrial group from Kupwad MIDC to rehabilitate the girl.

Shanta and her family will be given the necessary documents by District Guardian Minister Anna Dange duringthe Republic Day function on Tuesday. The welfare package for Shanta consists of a job, some aid for her brother to set up a small business and also aid to build a house.

“Life here is hell. We now wish to live differently. Please, help us break away from this miserable life,” was the sorrowful plea from the commercial sex workers who met the District Collector a few days ago.

It was a visit with a difference for the 200-odd commercial sex workers as Kareer, accompanied by other officials, spoke to almost every woman and visited their rooms. Most of the women in this flesh trade were devdasis, and from neighbouring Karnataka, the Collector was told.

“I was five years old when I was married to Yellamma. At 14, I was brought to Sangli and was forced into the trade,” Rajakaa told Kareer.

Many sex workers told him that if given the option, they would quit and begin all over again.

As the Collector explained the danger of AIDS to these women, a few of them pressed for better opportunities fortheir wards. They said that many of their wards were educated and a few girls were graduates. Despite their educational qualifications, the women were concerned about their future lives, they said. Underage girls being pushed into the trade, was another problem, they added.

Though he could not assure them jobs, Kareer told them that he would try to make various self-employment schemes reach them. Kareer later informed the women about various Government schemes.

“He is the first Collector who visited our homes, asked us about our problems, and has promised to help us,” said Sonabai.