India’s ‘anti-human trafficking caravan’ tours villages and towns
May 23, 2017
How music, street plays and puppet shows are being used to entertain and educate villagers about human trafficking
NEW DELHI, May 23 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – You know when the “anti-human trafficking caravan” is in town. The loudspeakers blare as the large white bus moves slowly through eastern India’s towns and villages and an animated voice calls on residents – young and old – to come and join the fun.
And the fun really is fun – ranging from music, dance performances and street plays to puppet shows, movies and exhibitions – but all have a serious message: “Be Alert, Raise Alarm. Stop human trafficking.”
The caravan is the brainchild of the U.S. Consulate in Kolkata and is a novel attempt to raise public awareness about trafficking and slavery in a country where such crimes are widespread, and on the rise.
With its sides emblazoned #StopHumanTrafficking, the caravan has just completed a one-month 5,800 km (3,600 mile) journey across West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar states – engaging with 50,000 people along the way.
“We used a variety of tools such as street plays, mobile exhibitions and were joined by puppeteers, dance troupes and musicians at various stops,” said Ananya Bhattacharya from banglanatak.com, one of the charities involved in the campaign.
