• The Academy award winning ‘Born Into Brothels’ set in Sonagachi, the red-light area of Kolkata examines the complexities associated with the lives of sex workers and their children. Directed by an American duo of Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman, it shows the lives in the red light area through the eyes of these children using photography and film as a medium. The directors are determined to provide these kids with a better and more secure future.
  
  
  
  The screening was followed by a discussion which threw light on various issues and brought forward many viewpoints. The discussion began with the audience being asked to give their initial impressions and feelings on the movie.
• Someone suggested that red-light areas should be broken up and the sex workers should be sent to different places away from the city so that prostitution is stopped since as individuals they won’t be able to continue their profession.
• This raised the larger issue of whether sex work is per se ethically wrong. There was a heated discussion on this. Someone said we need to broaden our mindset and accept sex work as a profession.
• This started the debate on the legalisation of prostitution. Those in favour pointed out that it would reduce the exploitation of sex workers by pimps, clients, it would improve their pay and working conditions and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Those opposed said it would encourage people to join sex work and make it a lucrative profession and would wrongly impact the Indian society. They firmly believed that profession should be abolished and should certainly not be legitimised.
• Someone pointed out that it would be better if Indian organisations would pick up such issues so that they could be better followed up to which someone replied that there were already many organisations working in the area and that the efforts of each individual should be recognised and appreciated.
• Someone questioned the rationale of taking out some select 8 children (and even all of them weren’t able to leave the brothels) and deciding to teach them. People counter argued that there would be a trickledown effect and also that we can’t stop making efforts just because we can’t help everyone.
• It ended on a note of hope and optimism as exemplified by the examples of Avijit who is currently studying in NYU and other children who are out of brothels and are doing well in their respective institutions. The movie was about finding light in the darkest corners and we were all very inspired by it.
  
  At the end of it there was a formal announcement of the winter group exposure which would be an opportunity for everyone to witness a grass root level movement and to develop a better understanding of the prevailing social issues. It received a very enthusiastic response and many expressed their willingness and excitement for the same. We hope to continue our association with IIT through such events and specially the winter group exposure trip.

Posted in: on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at at 1:11 AM