On January 14, 2017 a seminar was organised by the Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace on Anti Human Trafficking at St. Xavier’s College, Siliguri Campus, from 9 am onwards. Salesian College, Siliguri Campus was represented by Fr. C.J. George, Vice Principal, Sr. Mary Nimi, Hostel Warden, and Mr. Anirban Ghosh, Faculty, and Miss Rupa Khatoon, student. The resource person was Ms. Hasina Kharbhih, founder of IMPULSE (an NGO). The programme began with a prayer song followed by felicitating the resource person. Ms. Kharbhih began the session with the global scenario of human trafficking and then focusing on the Asian scenario. She elaborated on the two factors for the existence of human trafficking; Push Factor and the Pull Factor. Push Factors are related to the elements that lead to the migration of humans from one place to another whereas Pull Factor is related to developed places attracting humans from their areas of residence. Ms. Kharbhih also highlighted the fact that human trafficking does not only involve sex crimes but also organ trafficking, forced labour and drug related crimes. She also discussed the various national and international level protocols to be followed in other to have an effective anti human trafficking system. The plight of Nepal, Bangladesh and India was also discussed in the first half of the seminar.

The second part of the seminar began after tea break. This session was more focused on discussion, and answering the queries of the participants from NGOs, schools and colleges. In response to the queries of the participants Ms. Kharbhih shared about her organisation, IMPULSE, and her experience in working for anti human trafficking. She urged the various NGOs of North Bengal to come together under the larger banner, IMPULSE. According to her, the coming together would help the functioning of the anti human trafficking organisations to be more effective. The seminar ended with a vote of thanks followed by lunch.