At GB Road, a chance to learn and live

The Pink Police Chowki of GB Road is a boon for the sex workers and their children to acquire vocational skills

On Swami Shradhanand Marg, famously known as GB Road, the newly renovated police chowki is currently the centre of attraction.  Not because it has been freshly painted in pink but for its new identity as a makeshift training centre. 

The enthusiasm of children and sex workers residing in the area must be seen to be believed, as they eagerly turn up at the chowki daily to learn something new.  

“ Ye classes chalti rahengi na? Band to nahi ho jaengi? (The classes will continue, right? And not be discontinued?)” wondered Rahul’s* mother. She came to drop off her son, who attends computer classes at the chowki.  She sounded sceptical given her experience with several such initiatives in the past.  

“ Jab tak main zinda hun, tab tak to zaroor hongi (Till I am alive, they will certainly continue)” — Sub-Inspector Kiran Sethi laid the mother’s worry to rest. The 50-year-old chowki In-charge is among the popular faces of Delhi Police, who has often made headlines for her work towards women’s safety and empowerment and training hundreds of women in the city in self-defence. 

Priyanka*, a sex worker, came from south India a decade ago looking for a job in Delhi. She was 18 when she met a man after reaching the city. He brought her to GB Road and forced her into sex work. Five years ago, she gave birth to a differently-abled baby boy. With skill training at the police chowki, Priyanka now dreams of giving her son a better life.  

Wearing black boots and ripped jeans paired with a matching top and black shrug, Priyanka glides in with confidence into the chowki in the afternoon for her training in computers. She began attending the classes on February 28 and SI Sethi has already found a job for her that will begin in a month or two. “She is getting trained in record keeping,” Ms. Sethi said. 

 “Knowledge of computers is required in everything now. My life will change if I learn and get a job. I’ll be able to earn at least ₹20,000 a month. I will move out of this place then,” said Priyanka, with a glint of hope.  “ Is kaam se behtar wahi hoga,  ek sukoon ki zindagi ke liye (That job will be better for a peaceful life),” she said.