Urmi Basu

Urmi Basu is an Indian woman who has been protecting sex workers in Kolkata. In 2019 she received the Nari Shakti Puraskar - the highest award for women in India.

Urmi Basu
in 2017
Born
Kolkata
NationalityIndian
Known forfounding New Light
Spouse(s)2

Life

Basu was born in Kolkata.[1] Her parents were both medical professionals and she enjoyed a good education.

The Nari Shakti Puraskar awardees. Basu is far right bar one

She founded the organisation, "New Light" that looks after sex workers in Kolkata in 2000. She used her own funds to create the organisation. It was said that she left her second husband when he was unsupportive of her work.[1] New Light's base has a creche and it allows women to stay there in the night shelter. She is concerned about trans-generational prostitution,[2] 90% of the daughters of sex workers follow them into prostitution starting at an average age of thirteen.[3]

In 2012 she and her organisation were featured in an American (PBS) film titled "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide".[3] It was a four-hour documentary which premiered on PBS in October 2012.[4]

She was given the Nari Shakti Puraskar award on International Women's Day in 2019. The "2018" award was made in the Presidential Palace by the President of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present.[5]

References
  1. "Urmi Basu - India | WEF | Women Economic Forum". WEF. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  2. "Urmi Basu". thinkglobalschool.org. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  3. ""Prostitution is Absence of Choice" | ITVS". itvs.org. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  4. "Independent Lens: Half the Sky". PBS.org. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  5. "Nari Shakti Puraskar - Gallery". narishaktipuraskar.wcd.gov.in. Retrieved 2020-04-11.
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