The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Sex workers celebrate Raksha Bandhan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Sex workers celebrate Raksha Bandhan

Staff Reporter

Sangareddy: Eight sex workers tied Rakhis to men from the neighbouring villages and the police at a special function organised jointly by a social organisation HARD (Human Action for Rural Development), Police and the Lions Club at Ramaympet today. Women from the Japtishivunoor area and a large number of tribal women participated in the Raksha Bandhan programme. HARD, which is working for the welfare of the sex workers belonging to the Dommara tribe at Japtishivunoor, has been organising this programme for the past ten years.

Prayer for victims

Earlier the tribal women offered prayers for the victims of twin blasts in Hyderabad. The sex workers, led by their tribesman Mekala Ramulu, participated in the prayer and maintained two minutes of silence for the departed souls. Bhumaiah, a teacher, from the local Government school, said that this is the only time of the year when women from the red light area mingle freely with people of Ramayampet town.

Bridge gap

Addressing the programme at the Mandal office, HARD’s Chairman A. Jagannadha Rao said that the programme is aimed at including those sections like the tribals and the sex workers who live outside the so called civilised society. Sub Inspector of Ramayampet police station Nandiswar Reddy said that Rakhi helps bridge gaps between different stratas of the society leading to national integration.

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