Kolkata city, which houses the second largest red light district in India, is probably the only city in the world where sex workers run their own banking institution. The bank has an annual turnover of 2.5 million dollars and is now branching out to other parts of the state.

The city has also set an example as to how the menace of HIV Aids can be reduced by empowering the sex workers.

I feel proud because I am also a miniscule part of this revolution. Today I am a woman of my own means, I can stand on my two feet and proudly hold my head high. Today I have the courage to dream of a better and respectful future for myself as well my children.

It was a dark and windy might when had I left home. That night my husband had again come home drunk and started beating me for no particular reason. Tasting my tears mixed with blood, I decided that enough was enough and I needed to flee this hell. Once out on the streets, I was 25 and had no idea what I will do or where should I go. I decided to call upon a woman who had befriended me on the streets and promised me a lucrative job.

When morning came, my husband was apologetic and I also led him to believe that all was well. However, in my mind, I had already made up my mind to leave him. I left the house after him and went in search of my friend. I told her that I was willing to take up the offer of employment that she had told me about but I wanted to know about the nature of the job. She told me that I would have to entertain guests at a very big house in Kolkata. I left my home that very day and set out for the city with my friend.

I would be lying if I said that I did not know what kind of work I was getting into but I had no other choice. It was either a life of financial independence or one of beatings and abuse. I was illiterate so there was no other white - collar job that I could have done.

When I landed up in Sonagachi, the second largest red light district in India, I was put under a Mashi, who is an elder sex worker, too old to be in the business anymore, and from whose house I will be conducting the business and pay her from my earnings.

In those times it was very bad in Sonagacchi. We were constantly harassed by the local goons and the police people. They would extort money from us. Our children were not safe and more than anything else our customers wouldn't even hear of wearing condoms. We were totally at their mercy.

However, times have really changed now. With the formation of the Durbar Mahila Samannay Committee, a collective of sex workers, our lives have changed for the better and how!

Now we run 49 STD clinics in the Sonagachi area and are working towards eradicating the HIV menace. We have formed our own bank now, Usha Multipurpose Cooperative Society, which now boasts of an annual turnover of around 2.5 million dollars. It is a bank run by the sex workers for the sex workers.

Prior to the formation of this bank, we couldn't save any money. We spent everything on alcohol, food and entertainment. But today I have some savings and I feel very secure. I am not at the mercy of my clients anymore. If they come without a condom, I can refuse them because I know that tomorrow I can go and withdraw some money from the bank. I used to receive five to six clients a day, now it's two to three.

I feel very proud to be in the midst of all these and I dream that one day I will become the president of this bank. So many of my colleagues have held this position and I am sure I can do it properly too.

I have seen how people's attitudes have changed towards them. Earlier no one would even ask them to sit down in offices, but now when they go to an office for banking work – they are offered tea and water and I crave that kind of respect.

I do not want to remain in the fringes of society anymore and want to be a part of society. I have struggled a lot in my life. I have settled my children - a son and two daughters - outside the red light area, I have given them education and a roof over their heads.

I am 45 years old now and have spent 20 years in this business and I want to retire. However, I want to engage myself with Durbar's projects because I cannot sit idle. And I am really hoping that I get elected as the bank president because there are a lot of things that I would like to do from that position.

I have huge plans for the collective – like building a petrol pump, coming up with our own beauty parlours and doctor's clinic. I really hope that I am able to fulfil this dream of mine.

But even if it goes unfulfilled, I am sure I will find some other dream to nurture. Life has shown me various twists and turns but I have survived against all odds. It has taught me never to let go of dreaming – because that is the only thing that makes you want to go on in an otherwise bleak life.

Maya Sharma told her story to Sweeble correspondent N. Bhattacharya, in Kolkata