Sex workers in Kolkata, Only the mud from the residence of a sex worker can make sure that the soul of the goddess is pure
Newcomers to the red light district of Kolkata will be given a spot demonstration at the unit with the help of a dildo on how to use a condom.
Chumki is one of the 4000 sex workers who will be celebrating the Durga Puja in Sonagachhi this year. “Only we can make sure that the soul of the goddess is pure,” she states, referring to the tradition where idol makers and puja organisers come to Sonagachhi to collect mud from their residence. The mud is considered to be pure and to drive away evil from society. “Our tradition says that a man who enters our rooms becomes pure as he leaves all of his vices behind,” she says.
While some sex workers think that Durga Puja is a celebration of motherhood as they “mother many fathers” throughout the year, others are of the view of blending of puja and pleasure during five days. Special guests of sex workers, usually Babus, have also been invited for dinner. Babus are those who become psychologically involved with a particular sex-worker or share a ‘husband-wife’ relationship.The festive frenzy culminates to a situation that requires extra police on the streets. The red light area falls under the Burtolla police station area.
“We make elaborate police arrangements for the Sonagachhi puja fearing a stampede,” reveals senior inspector of police and former OC of Burtolla police station, B Saha.
Customer Care Unit volunteers will guide clients who want to avail of the services offered between 7 pm and 4 am during the pujas.
Using a condom is mandatory
Condoms like xtratime, xtrapleasure andordinary ones will also be made available at the units,” said Mahesweta Mukherjee, the liaison officer of Durbar Mahila Samanyay Samity.
The Samity, which works for protecting both the sex-workers and customers, has decided to guide those who have little knowledge of contraceptives.
“Newcomers will be given a spot demonstration at the unit with the help of a dildo on how to use a condom. And it’s mandatory,” says Mukherjee, adding they take care of customers facing any problems by hoodlums at the red-light area as the clients are Lakshmi.
Mukherjee, however, makes it clear that the puja committee has nothing to do with the business of sex workers during the pujas. Sonagachhi women perform rigorous rituals going by the book.
Determined to rise above social prohibition and get the power of the Goddess Durga, nearly 4,000 sex-workers of Sonagachhi, one of the largest red-light districts of Asia organise Durga Puja.
Sonagachhi Durga Puja becomes a centre of attraction as sex workers of different age groups from various places pour in at the pandal, said Bhola, a local youth. Children of the sex workers who are usually away from their homes stay with their mothers at Sonagachhi during the pujas.
Retired sex workers have been invited for lunch for five days. Aged sex workers facing acute financial crisis will be given new clothes and money, said Gulti, a local youth also associated with the puja.
Aged sex-workers and young children of sex-workers will be taken pandal hopping. Beggars begging in and around Sonagachhi throughout the year have also been invited for lunch during the pujas.
kolkata mirror
