Microsoft opens centre in Delhi’s red light area

NEW DELHI: Microsoft has veered from its regular corporate social responsibility route with a centre in one of Asia’s largest red light areas in the Capital.

The information technology major — through its Youth-Spark initiative — along with a voluntary organisation, is providing basic IT and job skills to sex workers and their children at the ‘Pahal Centre’ on Garstin Bastion road in New Delhi.

“There are certain groups who lack access to opportunities more severely than others and require more targeted intervention. The youth we are working with at the Pahal centre are one such segment of society,” says Madhu Khatri, head — citizenship, Microsoft India.

Microsoft is engaged with the Pahal Centre through Aide Et Action International, an international developmentprofit organisation.

The Pahal Centre is in operation since September 2014.

Already, two batches consisting of 30 students each (who were taught basic IT skills and spoken English for three months) have graduated. Apart from training and skilling, the centre also provides daycare facilities to the children of sex workers in the area.

Through this centre, Microsoft also engages with school teachers to ensure retention and educational progress in children and provides vocational training and skill development for youths between the ages of 16 and 28 years. It also facilitates networking in organisations for protection and referral support of children.

“This centre also prevents teenage girls from returning to high-prostitution areas through referral support,” adds Khatri.