A petite young girl with a shy but endearing smile, Roshni, 20, is extremely hard-working and has mastered the skill of Aari work which is a type of embroidery using colourful beads, threads and sequins.

Just a few years ago, her life was completely different. On being promised employment, Roshni agreed to come to Mumbai from her home town in Andhra Pradesh but was horrified to find herself in a brothel. It was then that she realised that her relative whom she trusted had in fact deceived her and had sold her into the flesh trade.

When the police conducted a raid at the brothel, Roshni, a minor at that time, was rescued and sent to a home which provided care for girls till the age of 18. She was tested sero-positive.

On turning 18, she was sent to Purnata Bhavan, (a residential care project of Oasis India ) where she participated in the literacy programmes offered and learnt to read and write. She also picked up the skill of Aari work so much so that she is now able to teach others. Roshni would soon be doing an advanced course in Aari work before she could start working.