Nija (Age 19 Years)

​Background

Nija is the sister of Mincy whose story has just been narrated. Nija was a favorite of her mother’s. She stayed with her parents until she got married. Mincy forced Nija into the flesh trade to make money. Nija has a baby who is looked after by her parents. Nija moved from place to place. She has been to 10 to 15 jails all over Kerala. She does not bother about her husband and the child anymore. Nija too has a very dark complexion and is big built. Unlike her sister, Nija is not arrogant.

She is very mild and shy like her mother. Her parents were encouraging Nija to return home when she was out of prison. She agreed to her parent’s request and came home. Then she was brought to the ashram. Nija does not speak much but she is very artistic with her hands. She showed great interest in gardening. At times both sisters would quarrel over small things. Then we had to deal with each one separately. After a week, two other friends of Nija also came to the Ashram. But after a few days the three planned to leave the Ashram in the night. They went out and each went in a different direction. Nija roamed about for one month. Her parents took Nija, hoping that she would change her mind and lead a better life. In the meantime I went to meet her at her home. She was told that she could come back to the Ashram but Nija felt very shy and could not face me. I held her hand and wished her a better future. She was advised to look after her child but she did not want to do that.

​Present Situation

Nija is living at present with a man steadily. She does not go to hotels or to other cities. She said she does not want to go to prison anymore.

​Observation

The above experience and later another similar situation taught us that two more companions form the same prison or the same group should not be kept together. And now there are other rehabilitation centers’ in different parts of Kerala. Thus there are better chances of helping individuals. I thank God for all the learning experiences that I got from each of these cases.

I met Nija in December 1997. She came to see me with her mother. On the whole there has been a change in the pattern of her life. Because she does not go in and out of prisons in Kerala. She continues to live with one man. Her parents are also supporting her.