She was a social worker. She, and a few other helpful and passionate citizens, were working for the past year and a half in rescuing children from forced prostitution and rehabilitating them.
She sat in the balcony of her apartment, her legs propped up on a stool the held a cushion to support her ankle, while her mother brought her soup.
"Why do you have to do this? can't you get someone to help? the police? I understand the importance and gravity of the situation. I am proud of what you do. But must you go yourself every time?"
This was a regular dialogue between the two of them. This time she was beaten up when she tried to escape with two girls she had tried to rescue from the clutches of those "animals"!! A sprained ankle, a few bruises and a painful back. Nothing serious. The girls were safe. That was all that mattered.
But then mothers will be mothers. Concern written all over her face, she leaves the soup and walks away.
Two days later. She sat at the hospital, waiting for her check up, talking on the phone.
One of her regular informers had found out that 15 girls were going to be sold abroad sometime in the next week. There were a few big names involved. Lot of pressure. Lots of money involved. Quite risky, was the informer's warning. She was not going to tell her mom. not yet. She would unnecessarily worry.
She stepped out of the hospital after collecting her reports of the complete master check up that her mother had insisted on.
It was drizzling. She shivered slightly as the cold wind hit her and mild droplets of water fell on her face. She was more determined than ever.
This time, she raised the bar...
She was going to save those lives before they stepped out of Indian soil. Come what may. she had nothing to lose.
She had just found out she did not have much time to live. She was going to make it count.
This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda. This time your entry must contain, ‘This time, she raised the bar…’
When I Figured Out What This Girl Is Doing, I Felt Sick To My Stomach
Damn. We all know statistics are supposed to provide insight, but sometimes numbers just make problems more abstract. That's not the case with this video. It feels so real that I wish it wasn't.
A very sensitive post , Preethi. the video is painful but true. young girls are into flesh-trade.
ReplyDeleteThank you kalpana. When I saw the video for the first time...I was truly shocked.
DeleteI read a few books on prostitution in Cambodia and Thailand and I was shaken beyond belief. If you enjoy books try reading Somali Mam.
ReplyDeleteThanks mridula. ..do love to read. Will surely check it out.
DeleteHey Preethi! Touching... Very well-written.
ReplyDeleteIn Ghajini movie, Asin's character saves the girls from trafficking yet suffers such a cruel fate.
Wish we could stop this sorry state of affairs...
I love the way you take on social issues.
Thanks anita. ..good point. ..did not relate to gajini. .
DeleteIt's good as always. Kudos! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you...Thanks for reading :)
DeleteWell written post on the prompt.The final lines added more beauty to the whole post."She was going to make it count" - hats off her to bravery
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteLoved the post. Quite sensitive and touching.
ReplyDeleteShe had just found out she did not have much time to live. She was going to make it count.
Wonderful lines.
All the very best for WOW :)
Thank you :)
Deletebeautiful bravery story for WOW prompt. great
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteFelt terrible reading the post, more import the video. Most of us, including me, are so nonchalant towards such happenings, even if they happen right in front of our eyes. Hmm...
ReplyDeleteJust of curiosity i wish to know, do you work any NGO or something?
No jini. ..wish I was. I am a house wife with a two year old :) just started writing...would someday like to be a part of something though :) by the way. ..how r u doing? When are u due? My wishes :)
DeleteA touching story
DeleteThank you :)
DeleteIt's so easy to look away and live in our bubble....
ReplyDeleteTrue. We are so caught up in our own sorrows and problems we fail to see what's happening around us.
DeleteThe most sad part is after they were been used and become aged, their life takes even worst turns. The depression these kids go through are wordless to explain. Things come out to lime light are very few, 1000s of stories do exists unnoticed by the world. Who fights for them? NGOs? why can we all? why cant the news media? Do not they know! Where the statistics alone come from? When there are concrete statistics where are the actions! Effective actions to take pride to have stopped it! We can talk like this! What's next? :'(
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely correct. These kids not only lose their childhood but also a chance at a good and normal future.
DeleteGood you wove this in to the topic.
ReplyDeleteA strong message there.
Thanks indrani
DeleteIt is a painful sight and I really wish we could do more but the question is what? Where does one start from and how does one track the root of such problems. The more girls we save, the more these animals find and use. All these problems look cumulative and overwhelming which is why no one ventures to solve it. The system and public together need to take the initiative.
ReplyDeleteGood point mythili. Where do we start? Just like to stop corruption we must stop offering bribes. Is there a way to reduce the demand for such girls? As long as there is a demand...The supply won't stop. Sad.
Deletevideo too heart touching .. A strong message .. Well written :)
ReplyDeleteA very strong message ..well penned :)
ReplyDeleteHey Preethi,
ReplyDeleteI have tagged you in my Post- http://anitaexplorer.blogspot.in/2013/12/pass-parcel.html :)
Pl do take a look and find time to respond by writing a Post! :)