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July 30, 2004

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  DR. SUNITHA KRISHNAN: STARTING A REHABILITATION CENTRE FOR SEX WORKERS AND THEIR CHILDREN
Sunitha Krishnan, 'Prajwala', Hyderabad

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Daughter of Rajakrishnan and Nalini from Thamarappadam, Palakkad, now settled at Bangalore, Sunitha would have continued to lead a medical career in Bangalore itself had not a chance journey brought her to Hyderabad. And in Hyderabad, the young doctor took on the unusual role of starting a centre to help sex workers comeback to the mainstream of society.

'Prajwala' the organisation started by her in 1997 has grown from strength to strength despite initial threats from goodas and pimps. Under the leadership of Prajwala, the women on the comeback trail are employed in fabrication of toys and household articles. Also, the organisation rehabilitates children of HIV-affected, and those women who cannot be redeemed from the flesh trade. These children are safe in the Astha Bhavan, a care centre under Prajwala.

In Hyderabad for her higher studies, Dr.Sunitha Krishna somehow felt a personal need to know more about sex workers. This search finally brought her to the book, 'Shattered Innocence', a chronicle of such unfortunate women. This search made a deep impact on her life and prompted her to 'give birth' to Prajwala.

Among many good samaritans who cooperate with Prajwala, Brother Jose Vattikkattil, the Director of a local ITI is noteworthy. When many schools were reluctant to admit children of sex workers, it was Brother who came forward to plead their case.

Unmarried, Dr.Sunitha is reluctant to talk more about herself. "Look... our children, our mothers, our sisters. Each one has a story to tell – a story that one hopes would not recur.

Let us keep aside our desires. Let us rather think of them and work for them", she says.

 

 

 

 

 

Courtesy: Lalitha Iyer, Vanitha June 1-14, 2004

Contributed by: Administrator

 

"Our first and last love is self-love."