VIBHA VERMA
PANJIM: Bhimavva Chalwadi spent nearly 18 months as a devadasi and was eventually forced into the sex trade at the then infamous red light area of Baina, Vasco. As a young teen, she wasn’t aware what devadasi meant, nor the illicit trade in which she was pushed by a woman who was known to her family.
Oldest of the six sisters, Bimavva recalled her family – originally from Karnataka – lived in poverty at Baina. Poor financial conditions and an alcoholic father did not allow her to even think of going to school. She remained uneducated.
It was at this time that a woman approached her family “suggesting” she become a devadasi. “I was told that I will earn money and not have to leave my family. Since I was a teenager, I did not understand what the woman meant. She suggested I become a devadasi. I was forced into prostitution at Baina after about one and half year of working as a devadasi,” Bhimavva said, during a conversation with Herald.
She was about 13-14 years old when she was dedicated as devadasi. Asked if her parents approved of it, she recalled that financial problems did not save her from turning into a sex worker. “My mother probably knew what devadasi meant but she didn’t say anything (did not oppose the proposal). We were in a poor financial condition and my father was an alcoholic,” she added.
By the time she understood her line of work, it was too late. “I wanted to leave this but didn’t know how. The taunts from people that I was into prostitution were very painful. I almost gave up on my future life,” she said.
But a rescue operation in 2001 changed her life. Crime Branch, in association with NGO Anyay Rahit Zindagi, rescued her from fear and despair. Now 34 years old, Bhimavva has been an inspiration to many, transforming the lives of several thousand vulnerable girls and women. She was recently awarded the CII Woman Exemplar Award 2019 in the Education category at the hands of Minister for Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu.
The brave woman recalled that living in the correction home was not easy and she often yelled at individuals who counselled her. “I would be angry. They (authorities) would keep me in closed premises. I again thought my life was shut within the four walls. I would shout at the ARZ counsellors asking them how they will transform my life,” she said, adding, “My counselling continued and I was engaged in different activities like art and crafts, jewellery making, etc.”
On being released from the protective home, the dedication that she showed to change her life, spurred ARZ to help her by recruiting her as enabler-cum-community worker in 2003.
Her work involved identifying adolescent girls vulnerable to be dedicated and/or forced into prostitution and educating them and their family members, about the ills of dedicating girls as devadasis and forcing them into commercial sexual activity. She was also an active member of the devadasi self-help group formed by ARZ in Baina, to eradicate the devadasi practice in Baina, Vasco. Her effort led to preventing many young girls from being dedicated and forced in prostitution.
For the last one decade, as an art therapist, Bhimavva has been visiting the Protective Home and providing rehabilitation services to the girls rescued. ARZ director Arun Pandey said she has been successful in bringing a positive change in the lives of girls lodged at the home.
A single mother of a 6-year-old, she is currently working as Assistant Programme Manager at Swift Wash Laundry, a unit of ARZ set up for providing economic rehabilitation to the victims of commercial sexual exploitation and sexual violence in Goa. She has also been instrumental in ensuring that victims of CSE join Swift Wash and receive a respectable livelihood.
She now knows to read, write and handle computers. “I did not know to write my name but now I know to read, write and work on computers,” she said explaining how her parents feel guilty for not educating her.
As she has successfully turned her back to her past, Bhimavva wants to give her child, who is living with his grandparents and pursuing his education in their native State, a good life.
