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Reigning beauties with a cause

A DIFFERENT MISSION: Neha Kapur flanked by Natasha Suri (left) and Amruta Patki who have now joined hands for a social cause.

Three reigning beauty queens -- Femina Miss India Universe Neha Kapur, Femina Miss India World Natasha Suri and Femina Miss India Earth Amruta Patki -- gathered at India International Centre here this past week to extend their support for prevention of trafficking, HIV and AIDS in women and girls.

Supported by a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project for prevention of trafficking, HIV and AIDS (TAHA) in women and girls in partnership with the National AIDS Control Organisation and the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the event also saw participation of representatives of a large number of non-government organisations from several States.

The TAHA initiative works with local communities in 300 districts across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Delhi, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu to understand trafficking and its links with HIV. It also supports strengthening shelter and care services for those trafficked and HIV positive persons.

Setting up well-equipped helplines in select project States along with model information centres and village surveillance teams also forms part of the project support under this initiative. The grassroots organisations selected to implement the TAHA project have been identified through a comprehensive review process led by the State AIDS Control Societies. As preventing trafficking is a complex process involving changes at individual, community, society, national and international levels, TAHA also works with national partners like Nehru Yuva Kendra and the National Legal Services Authority. — Madhur Tankha

Madhur Tankha

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