A few days back , a friend sent me a video from TED.com where Sunita Krishnan speaks about sexual exploitation of children and sex crimes and her pioneering efforts at PRAJWALA a NGO run by her and others at Hyderabad , India to resettle the victims in various vocations after training and sensitising . Sunita comes out brilliant in her exposition and conveys the reality in all its true colors. I had the privilege of meeting with Sunita a few years back when she met me seeking support of our company to equip the schools run by her and others with used computers and also for helping the victims find suitable placements in the Industry.We were very impressed and convinced about the cause so passionately pursued by her team. She is only 5 feet and few inches tall physically but she stands very TALL among many others when we see her lofty but practical mission in life. Herself a gang rape victim at the age of 15 , she has converted her anger and anguish to productive use and PRAJWALA has saved more than 3000 young girls as on date from flesh trade or sex crimes. What moved me now after watching the video was her description of the ” Culture of Silence ” prevailing in our society where we become mere spectators instead of actors and try to victimise the victims by refusing them their right to rehabilitate. A sad commentary on the potency of our society which chooses to display and demonstrate social impotency by abdicating our responsibility which in many times abet the crimes committed by default.
We need many more Sunitas among our midst and I salute her for her grit and perseverence.