TOI : Unique Diwali for these rescued girls : Nov 7,2007

Mumbai: Powai residents want to show that Diwali gifts for kids need not always be sweets or crackers. On Wednesday, 45 girls will be driven from Kharghar to Powai to take part in a unique Diwali celebration.

All of them are underprivileged girls rescued over the years by the police and the NGO Prerna while they were being pushed into the flesh trade.

On Wednesday, they will not only paint lamps but will also attend a hospitality course workshop at the Powai based Rodas Ecotel.

“When I recently met these girls, I was amazed by the positive energy in them. In fact, many of the girls want to make a career in the hospitality industry and that’s why we decided to bring them to Powai,’’ said Punish Sharma, executive assistant manager of Rodas.

Another Powai citizen and a member of the MMRDA citizens committee, Elsie Gabriel, reasoned, “We have believed in celebrating our festivals with some social cause in mind, with the active support of corporates. Recently, we had also organized a workshop on making eco-friendly Ganpati idols to save the Powai Lake.’’

The NGO Prerna readily agreed to this celebration as their main aim is to safeguard the children’s future. TNN