2010 Commonwealth Games major boost for s*x tourism in India (part 2)
Meanwhile, the Indian government seems to have been supportive of the idea since it will draw in millions in revenue for the country. They have also set up condom vending machines to help the prostitutes keep themselves safe from contracting sexually contracted
diseases such as HIV Aids.
Younger girls and virgins are being lured into this trap by human traffickers, with girls as young as 9 being injected with oxytocins - popularly known as the ‘hormone of love’ - to attain puberty at a younger age.
GB road district in Delhi is known for its thousands of s*x workers who serve hundreds of thousands of clients every year. CWG 2010 has now ensured that the capital is now a prime destination for s*x tourism.
According to a letter written to the Chief Secretaries of the State Governments of West Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and New Delhi by notable Ngo’s, titled, ‘Advisory on preventing and Combating Human trafficking during
the Commonwealth Games’, human trafficking has been on the rise ever since preparations started for the Commonwealth Games.
“Trafficking in persons, particularly in women and children for various purposes, such as commercial sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude, begging etc. is an organized crime that gravely violates basic human rights. Increasing reports of
such criminal activity by certain fraudulent placement agencies by making false promises of getting employment in Delhi during the Commonwealth Games, is a matter of deep concern. The victims are mostly those who are promised work in Delhi ahead of the Commonwealth
Games by fraudulent placement agencies, but instead are likely to be trafficked. Minor girls are the main targets. Some of them are even injected with oxytocin to attain puberty at a younger age,” reads the opening paragraph of the letter.
Statistics have revealed that almost 30 % of the s*x workers in India get themselves involved in the trade before the tender age of 18. It is appalling and in fact cringe worthy that the Indian government is not doing anything to stop this.
Escort agencies and companies are already in the process of making lists of A class Indian and foreign prostitutes who would cater to the tourists coming to India for the Commonwealth Games.
Some companies are even using the internet to attract customers coming to India for the Commonwealth Games. They promise to provide services of attractive local and foreign women to their clients.
One such website reads, “India is a divine place of Kamasutra. Delhi beauties are some of the most exotic in the world.”
These websites revolve around the words ‘Special Escort Services for Commonwealth Games Guests’ and many others. The escort agencies have admitted that they are aiming for foreign customers and not local Indians.
Raj, who happens to be an escort agent with Indian Escort Girls from Mumbai, when contacted by one particular news agency said, “We can actuate 2000 to 5000 escorts for the event in a week, but there will be a shortfall, which will have to be met by other
cities. Americans and Europeans pay well and we expect a lot of business from them.”
Meanwhile Neha Arora, another owner of an escort company Escort International in the capital city of Delhi, said that their agency will focus on three important things.
“Firstly, to increase the number of national and international call girls in our agency to meet the customers’ requirements. Second, making the girls look fit and hot so that they can work for extra hours and finally, increase our reach across the country.
Our main focus during the games will be reaching out to foreigners as they pay well.”
She said that it was very hard to compete in what is now a very competitive industry in India with many companies offering similar services and that there is now a pressure on the leading companies to stand out and cater to the needs of the elite.
According to estimates, this industry could earn as much as $23 million, since the standard rate for hiring a prostitute for one hour for foreigners fluctuated between 300 to 400 dollars.
The foreigners who have come to India for the Commonwealth Games will most certainly have a choice as to if or when they choose to visit the infamous G B road in the capital city. However, unfortunately the same cannot be said about the girls and women working
there. Misogyny, patriarchy, poverty, violence and greed will deal with that.
Victor Malarek, an activist against human trafficking writes in his book, that far from contrary belief about prostitution being the world’s oldest profession, it is rather “the world’s oldest oppression” and despite claims that it is a career choice, he
insists that it remains to be, “the ultimate act of desperation.”
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