Kolkata:
Two young boys from Kolkata are headed for Poland in August to play football. That would be pretty routine but for the fact that they are going as part of the Indian team to play the Homeless World Cup championship in which homeless children from 64 countries are participating.
Also, the two boys are sons of sex workers of Kolkata's well-known red light district, Sonagachi, and have had to really struggle to reach where they have.
There is, however, still one hurdle on their way to Poland. Money.
The two boys are Biswajit Nandi, a student of class 12, and Surajit Bhattacharya, who is in 1st year in college. They have been playing football for years. Then an organization called Slum Soccer based in Jamshedpur arrived in Kolkata hunting for talent for the Homeless World Cup.
They approached Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (DMSC), which is a unique cooperative of sex workers. DMSC pointed to the two boys who lived in a home it runs for sex workers' children on Kolkata's southern fringe.
Then two months ago, Biswajit and they were selected for the Indian team going for the Homeless World Cup. And suddenly their dream was within their grasp, the dream to make their mothers proud and tell the world that they were sex workers' sons and not ashamed of it.
"As the child of a sex worker, I want to prove to all those who look down upon me that I can do something. Through this game I want to show the world that I am best and that I am no less than others," said Biswajit. Adds Surajit, "My mother has really struggled to bring me up. Today she is very proud that I am going abroad to play, something that not everyone has been able to do."
But money is a problem. "We need minimum one lakh fifty thousand rupees, out of which we need 80,000 immediately, that means by June 30 so that we can process their visa by buying tickets and submit it to the consulate,' says Dr Smarajit Jana of DMSC.
The boys are fine tuning their football skills and keeping their fingers crossed. So is their coach. "This is the first time a sex worker's son is going to play abroad representing India," says coach Biswajit Majumdar. "It is a very proud moment for the sex worker community."
For the two young footballers, the championship in Poland could be life changing. "After playing in Poland, maybe I can play for India. If I can play for India, my life will really change," says Biswajit. "Since we are going abroad, there will be many foreign teams and their officials. If they like my game, they may even sign me on. I really hope so," says Surajit.
A door of opportunity has opened for Biswajit and Surajit. The entry ticket is one and a half lakh rupees. For them it is a princely sum. But for a nation of football lovers, surely not?
If you wish to help the two footballers, you could send contributions to:
Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee
Account No: 402110100030429
Bank of India, Vivekananda Road Branch
Kolkata 700007
IFSC Code: BKID0004021
For foreign contributions, the account number is 402110100027051
For any clarifications or queries, you may call Dr Smarajit Jana at 9831835001
Disclaimer: This information has been provided / published on a good faith basis, without any commercial motive. NDTV does not vouch for the authenticity of the claims made by the intending done, nor can we guarantee that the donations made by a donor will be used for the purpose as stated by the intending done. You are requested to independently verify the contact information and other details before making a donation. NDTV and/or its employees will not be responsible for the same.