Mumbai: Every living being has to struggle regularly to survive in the world. In the episode of this struggle, some resort to good deeds and some indulge in objectionable activities. Some indulge in these nefarious activities under compulsion and duress while some derive sadistic joy out of it. Practices like human trafficking and modern-day slavery, which should have been abolished decades ago, are still pricking our society as cankers. According to the NCRB report, the incidents of human trafficking did not stop even during the COVID period in 2020. In 2020, 4708 cases were ed in this regard. Criminals con people and force them into bonded labour and prostitution through human trafficking.
A group of responsible young students of Billabong High International School, Santacruz, pledged to bring about a shift through a great humanitarian gesture and came forward to raise funds under ‘The Urban Project,’ to provide relief and make a difference towards the rehabilitation of those rescued from these misdeeds. A total of 60 students participated in the 15-day long fundraiser campaign and collected Rs 6,88,144 through the ketto.org platform.
Commenting on this philanthropic and humanitarian effort made by her students, Nikhat Jafferey, Principal, Billabong High International School said, “At Billabong High International School, we have consciously nurtured ‘empathy’ among our children. It is important not just to understand what people in our society are going through, but to go one step ahead and explore ways and means in which we can make a difference in their lives for the better. Through their humanitarian work and endeavour, our students and staff have conveyed a message of following the path of benevolence and giving back something to society. It was heart-warming to see how our students actively took up the crowdfunding campaign on the Ketto platform under the leadership of our facilitator Mr Sooraj H Malik. The topic chosen was sensitive – to help overcome challenges and economic hurdles faced by victims of human trafficking. I believe that this humanitarian campaign has showcased a new dimension of the comionate thinking of our students,” she said.
She further added, “The students of BHIS-Santacruz have proved that even the toughest goals can be achieved with positive thinking and strong determination. This money collected from the public will be used by the renowned NGO Purnata to and help rehabilitate these victims and more importantly, help them lead a dignified life for themselves. Purnata has been ing such victims since 2014 and providing them with a new ray of hope. The objective of this NGO is to rescue, rehabilitate and reunite survivors of human trafficking in Mumbai and West Bengal”.
Commenting on the initiative, Aamna Junaid Grade 11 and Hunarpal Kohli Grade 11 said, “Human trafficking is considered to be the second-largest organized crime in our country. Out of the estimated 20 million commercial prostitutes in India, 16 million women and girls are sex trafficked. With this initiative and collaboration, we aim to rehabilitate the survivors and enable them to have a better future.”
