Snehalaya: “Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya”

Abstract

Snehalaya, a non-governmental organization (NGO) run by Girish has built a reputation for itself in the region as awell-wisher and care giver for the HIV positive people during the last 21 years of its existence. Its aim has been toconstantly work towards social inclusion and rehabilitation of HIV positive people and women and girls rescuedfrom prostitution. It has proved to be instrumental in making the red-light areas in Ahmednagar district free ofatrocities by police, brothel keepers, goons and customers by empowering the sex-workers. This is a herculean taskgiven the nature of this industry which reels under the clutches of goons and mafia and exploitation of the sexworkers, creating one of the most inhuman living conditions for them. Snehalaya has also managed to bar the use ofminors in the flesh trade in the region through its efforts. Its active and direct involvement in the red-light districtsand slums of Ahmednagar has helped it create a ray of hope for the people living in these areas to lead a respectfuland dignified life. In 2010, 20 people were sentenced to double life imprisonment by the Ahmednagar DistrictSessions Court for sexual abuse of minor girls as a result of Snehalaya?s interventi