The crowded streets of Mumbai

Recently, I was in Mumbai to help my papa with his business. I had to visit a government office which was located in a very congested part of the city. Passing through the streets of this locality was an experience. The utterly crowded streets, busy & noisy market areas, the usual hussle & bussle, the roads camouflaged with old dilapidated buildings & cluttered with the street vendors and the 4-wheelers moving inch by inch trying to make their way through the pedestrians. We do not often travel through such streets. Today, I moved through one and as I moved, something that stirred me happened.

I passed through a red light area. Whenever I moved through such areas in the past, I just peeped at the prostitutes for a fraction out of curiosity just to see how they were dressed and what their eyes were speaking. But this time, the cab I was in slowed down due to heavy traffic letting me have a closer look. I gradually passed by three young prostitutes standing barely a few meters away. I observed them. They looked innocent, very very young. Perhaps, not more than 18-20 years. Their eyes seemed to be waiting for customers. They looked like young kids from a far-off village, not very educated.

Being an engineering graduate and later a white-collar professional, I found myself with only kids with good backgrounds. I made several of them do the Art of Living's meditation workshops. I realized that I spoke to so many students and young graduates of the age of these prostitutes about sharpening their skills. But this time I do not talk to these kids. I just leave them behind.

A thought struck me. Am I available to help only college students? Can these girls be taken out of this area and dropped to a rehabilitation centre? I doubt. These areas are controlled by local mafias. Does any one have the courage to do anything like this? Every one knows what happens in red light areas. No one takes any action. Maybe because its fear? May be corruption? Or may be because people are just too busy in their lives. These thoughts lingered in my mind for a while. Later, I got busy with other work leaving behind these girls to their fates, just like all of us.