Chhattisgarh, May 12: A 13-year-old girl born to adivasi (tribal) parents in a village in Jashpur district in Chhattisgarh is today part of a self-help group that runs a successful bakery which involves, like her, victims of human trafficking. That the girl, along with the organisation, was the recipient of the "Naari Shakti Award" given by the President of India is testimony to the fact that "where there is a will, there is a way" and once again proves the power of co-operatives and not for profit in changing the lives of people.

The victim was 13-years-old when she had to leave house to earn for herself and her family. Her parents too thought that her leaving home would help them financially. A middleman had ensured money along with visits to home in holidays. But till 9 years there was no communication let alone visits to the home by the girl.

Her rescue was dramatic to say the least. After being made to work in homes as domestic help, she was abused and beaten and often locked up in homes without being paid or paid really low. Once, when she was in Dehradun, working as a help, she saw a crime show on TV where the character in the show dials 100 to call police. She said that she took someone's phone and called the police. She was soon rescued by the police.

She wasn't the only one from Jashpur district to have experienced abuse and trafficking. Several other girls from the district, some of whom were pushed into prostitution rings, were also rescued and sent to the government run Vigyan Ashram in Pune. This is where the girls were taught baking and on Independence day in 2017, they all proudly and happily stood in front of the "Beti Zindabad" bakery. The bakery, makes a business of Rs 1500 daily and the staff is using the profits and income to first pay off the loan provided by government and other organisations. The 13-year-old victim who had left home to earn money for the family, is now a 22-year-old who has brought great honour for the family. Beti Zindabad, indeed.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 12, 2018 07:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).