Rangu: ‘Godmother’ to victims of trafficking

Prashant Acharya, EOI, Siliguri, 28 January 2014: Defying all odds, Panighatta resident Rangu Souriya has emerged as a godmother to nearly 500 victims who had either been sold to various brothels across India, or had become enmeshed in the net of pimps and touts.

Rangu says her empathy towards women who had been trafficked sparked while a student in Darjeeling Government College, and she made up her mind to work for the welfare and protection of such hapless individuals.

Presently associated with Siliguri-based NGO Kanchanjunga Uddhar Kendra, Rangu first undertook the initiative to rescue trafficked girls and women back in 2004. Her determination and bravery encouraged parents of many victims to appeal to her to save their wards.

The activist says there were times when she had to bear expenses from her own pocket and she even had to sell a pair of cows she owned as she surged forward with determination in her noble endeavour.

“You should have a brave heart if you want to step forward to save society and the nation,” says Rangu. “I was threatened by goons and the mafia on several occasions and even lured with handsome sums of money, but my aim and vision is to free women from the nets of antisocial elements.”

So far, Rangu has rescued almost 500 women, mostly aged below 18, from brothel in Delhi, Pune, Patna, Mumbai, Kolkata and other regions of the country. Almost all victims have been residents of Sikkim, North Bengal, Nepal and Assam.

Her bravery and good work earned Rangu the Godfrey Phillips Social Bravery Award and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s Women Achievers’ Award - 2009. She has also been honoured by more than 20 regional organisations for her sterling services.