Sex worker's Autobiography Published Source: Press Trust of India
Kochi, Aug 14 (PTI) An autobiography of a sex worker is creating waves in the Southern Indian state of Kerala. The 233-page book narrates the story of thrice-married Nalini Jameela, now in her fifties. "I am over 51 and I want to continue as sex worker," she says in her autobiography 'Laingiga Thozhilaliyudae Atmakatha' (autobiography of a sex worker). Human rights activist I Gopinath has written the book for Nalini in Malayalam. Over 5000 copies of the book have been sold since its release on June 20 this year and the publishers are soon going in for a third print, V C Thomas, Manager, Publication of D C Books, the publishers, told PTI. Selling 5000 copies of a book in Malayalam within five weeks of its publication is a rarity, he said adding the book would be brought out in English and nine other languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Marathi and Bengali. [It always amazes me at how eager publishers are to assist the distribution of stories about women who claim they love "sex work." - Donna] According to Nalini, her aim is not to malign those who have exploited her. "They are my bread givers". [Traffickers, pimps, and johns are just "bread givers"! - Donna] Describing the sex workers as "safety valves" of a society, she says she wants red streets in Kerala because "our society is facing sexual poverty while we are talking about morality". Nalini, who is the coordinator of sex workers' forum, says she had to face the wrath of some feminists for organising the sex workers. Sex education should be given to children. "Let boys and girls grow up together. We are separating them from childhood. That is the main reason for sexual harassments," she told PTI. Born and brought up at Amballoor in Thrissur district, Nalini studied only upto third class. Poverty and the burden of looking after three siblings forced her to work at an early age. Her three marriages were a failure. She became a sex worker after the death of her first husband. Her tale is about sexual exploitation by politicians, police and men from varying backgrounds. She is active with sex workers organisation in Kerala and has completed two documentaries on the life of sex workers. She underwent camera training in Thailand and attended meetings in several Indian cities as convenor of sex workers forum. According to Gopinath, a former naxal activist, the book is an attempt to "expose the so called morality" of Malayalees. Press Trust of India
