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Demonetization crushes dreams of trafficked Bangladeshi sex worker

Demonetization crushes dreams of trafficked Bangladeshi sex worker

May 06, 2017
07:00 am

What's the story

Demonetization threw life out of gear for many, but there were some who were helplessly trapped, like Aruna. Aruna, who ended up in Indian brothels after being trafficked, toiled to save Rs. 10,000, mostly in Rs. 500 and 1,000 notes, during her 1.5 years of suffering. They were demonetized in November'16. But before she could exchange them for legitimate currency, the deadline was up.

Aruna

Aruna's story

Aruna, formerly a garment factory worker in Bangladesh, was lured to India by a colleague, who assured her a job here. Instead, she was sold to a Bengaluru brothel, and then to another one in Pune, from where she was rescued in December'15. However, she didn't tell anyone about the money she had saved till March'17, when she got a travel permit to Bangladesh.

Modi

Rescue home helps her write request letter to PM Modi

Tanuja Pawar, assistant superintendent of Rescue Foundation shelter in Pune where Aruna is staying, helped her draft a request to PM Narendra Modi. "I used to hide this money in my pants pocket as I wanted to take it home," the letter, posted on Twitter, said. "I earned this money through much suffering…Please help me exchange it." The PMO hasn't commented yet.

Information

People come forward to help the trafficking victim

Meanwhile, many people have come forward to assist the victim, so she can go back home with "some legitimacy to her absence". She will accompany 18 other trafficking victims to eastern India on May 15, from where they will be taken to Bangladesh via bus.