Interview Critique

Since our arrival in India, I looked forward to the lecture about Sex Trafficking at the Odanadi Home for Victims of Human Trafficking. Fortunately, some fellows, including myself, had the opportunity to interview Stanly Kizhakeparambil Varghese and Parashuram Mynkanalli Lingegowda. Before the interview, Stanly gave a lecture on the history of Odanadi, what they do there, and how they help the victims. 
During the lecture, Stanley presented himself and explained that Odanadi means good companion and that the foundation was created 33 years ago by him and Parashuram to work against all forms of violence against women and kids. The organization allows the women to stay as long as they need to. One of the ways of fundraising at Odanadi is "Yoga stops traffick." Which is an event to raise awareness about human trafficking. The raised funds through this event are used for Odanadi's essential rehabilitation program. Stanley also noted that the leading cause of Sex Trafficking was not poverty but the mindset of the men that led to the sex trafficking of women, and changing this mindset of males to improve these women's situation. The male created the demand, and the women provided the supply. So during the interview, Stanley brings up that yoga is a critical practice to help avoid this cycle, as yoga is a way of life that balances mind, body, and soul.

I asked Stanley if there were any laws against human trafficking. Stanley responded that in the 90s, the government was trying to punish women and blame them for being sex trafficked through the policies in place, for example, SITA (The Suppression of Immoral Traffic Act). After that, the government developed some national programs to help the survivors. Through the interview, Stanley and Parashuram mention how important it is for the government to be more involved and democratic and to give more importance to women's participation. 
The interview was eye-opening to the victims' struggles after being rescued. Some might think that after being rescued, their life gets more uncomplicated, but that is just the beginning of the battle. The Odanadi organization comes in to help women to get back into society. One of the forms of rehabilitation for women is marriage. It takes about six months for them to arrange a marriage for a woman.