Update: On Other Kids From Born into Brothels

So, I already informed you that Puja, one of the kids from the film Born into Brothels, returned to the sex trade after the movie in an earlier post. But I wanted to find out some more information on the other children. So I found this update on kids with cameras, one of the official sites associated with the film, and lets just say that this update which is dated November 2006 is a much happier one!

1. Avijit- Is a junior at private school in Salt Lake City.
2. Manik- Is starting his second year at Future Hope, a private school in Calcutta, India that is almost impossible for brothel children to get into. He still flys kites.
3. Shanti- She also attends Future Hope.
4. Tapasi- Attends a local school and her sister still stays at the Sabera Foundation.
5. Suchitra- Lives at home and works for a greeting card manufacturer.
6. Kochi- Is finishing up her education at the Sabera Foundation and hopes to move to the U.S. to continue her studies.



Avijit and Manik
Picture from Kids with Cameras Website

Male Sex Workers

They have the same storys, the same experiences, and the same feelings of hopelessness. But while women sex workers in India are visible, male sex workers are not. The often suffer in silence! Many male sex workers are what we in America call transgender. The terms for it in India are Kothis and Eunuch. These men have feelings of being women and they are therefore attracted to other men, gays, or bisexuals. They often are desperate for money because they are socially outcased worst then women sex workers. They can not get normal jobs because of their gender identity so they end up joining the trade. Male sex workers are often the victims of murder and rape in India. The following youtube video showcases the plight of male sex workers in India.

Illegal Proffession But Available Life Insurance

While prostitution is illegal in Indian, prostitutes can get life insurance. The Life insurance corporation of India offers sex workers a policy where they can get a routine medical check-up for HIV. Since there are so many sex workers in India these small life insurance policies have become very valuable.

Shocking Novel

I new book is out entitled, Bitter Chocolate, the book describes sex abuse of children in India. The book is very graphic and goes into great detail. It was written by an Indian women named Pinki Virani. The book is divded into two notebooks. The first notebook talks about the author's own experiences, while the second deals with a couple of real life stories. The novel ends by offering up prevention solutions. The book is a no holds bar in India right now that is receiving wonderful reviews.

Sex Workers Want Government to Acknowledge Profession

It's election time in India now and sex workers are asking politicians to recognize their profession and give them equal rights under the laws. While I can not imagine prostitutes in America demanding the government for egual rights, the situation in India is much different. Prostitution is big business over there with about 70,000 sex workers who take up the family business each year. This is not something hidden under the rug like it often is in America. So, sex workers are demanding that their profession by accepted by society and that their family members will not be oppressed because of their trade. Sex workers have major voting power. In fact if you count the sex worker and their family members that equals approximately 2,80,000votes. As a result, the main group, Urbar Mahila Samanya Committee, which is lobbying politicans right now is very hopefully. To read the article in it's entirety you can click on the link.

Slumdog Millionaire Star Donates Earnings To Indian Children

Picture Provided by Ecorazzi


In the oscar-winning movie, Slumdog millionare, actor Anil Kapoor plays a convincing television host. But in real life he is an Indian actor with a kind heart. Kapoor plans to give all of his earnings to Plan India, which is a child organization, that helps vunerable children find education and escape prostitution. Coming from a poor beginning himself, Kapoor wants to help others achieve their dreams too. Feel free to read the full article.

Gates Foundation Spreads Aids Awareness

Bill Gates, the Microsoft founder, and his wife Melinda spread Aids Awareness in the red-light districts of India by donating money through their Gates Foundation. The have been doing so since the late 1990's. The Gates took a visit to Indian to meet the sex workers first-hand.