Date:04/04/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/04/04/stories/2004040411420500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

NGO seeks corporates help to check human trafficking

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, APRIL 3. Prajwala, a voluntary organisation that has been waging a battle against trafficking in women and children, has given a call for NGO-corporate partnership to tackle the worst form of human slavery. A seminar on `NGO-corporate partnership against trafficking in persons' was organised by Prajwala in association with the US Consulate, Chennai, and the American Chamber of Commerce here on Friday.

It aimed at bringing NGOs and corporates on a common platform to give back the victims their dignity and self-reliance. Of two million women and children involved in trafficking, 25 per cent were children.

While NGOs like Dr. Reddy's Foundation and Nandi Foundation shared their successful methodology of approach to involve the corporate sector, participating NGOs were told to be professional in their functioning.

Prajwala president, Br. Jose Vetticatil, said outsourcing would offer scope for jobs and self-employment opportunities, which could be accessed by victims. Prajwala general secretary, Sunitha Krishnan, recounted how Amul India had helped victims by involving them in sales at its kiosks in various places. Dr. Anji Reddy, Chairman, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, said their social work programmes clicked essentially through innovative models and several corporates and individuals were supporting their programmes. The Lok Satta national coordinator, Jayaprakash Narayan, said trafficking in children was a serious issue and that there was no place for complacency. A short film with a moving appeal by film star, Venkatesh, a gesture to the cause by the Andhra Pradesh Film Chamber of Commerce president, D. Suresh Babu, was screened.

Laura Livinston, Director, office of International Narcotics, Jason B. Rieff from the Consulate General for South India, UNDP advisor, B.Bhamathi, Amcham president J.A. Chowdhary, AP Rural Livelihood Programme coordinator S.P. Tucker, CEO Naandi Foundation Manoj Kumar and Dr. Reddy Foundation Director Nalini Gangadharan, were among others who made their presentations.