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Name: Anjali. Age: 21
Education: No formal education
Hails from: Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
(Third from left)
Anjali's life plunged into disarray right as a child, even before she could understand the harsh realities of life.
Her mother died a few months after delivering her last child, and soon after, her father also died of ill-health.
Anjali, her brother and sister did not have any relatives.
Luckily, their house-owner gave them shelter and, in turn, they worked in his house.
Anjali was not happy with that life. She did not want be a servant forever. She also wanted to ensure that her younger brother and sister were well educated. So she decided to move to Mumbai.
As with most others who end up in dance bars, she initially did not earn as much as she thought she would.
Now she earns enough. Apart from a small sum for her, she sends all the money to her landlord in Mathura, who takes care of her brother and sister's education.
The government decision to shut dance bars in the state comes at a time when things were gradually looking up for Anjali.
"When I heard that the government is planning to close down the dance bars, I was shattered. Where else can I earn this much money?" said Anjali.
Photographs: Arun Patil
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