Sushena Reza-Paul of the Karnataka Health Promotion Trust said, "They were very particular about us including a sari shop. Presentation is very important for them.
Although several shops and restaurants in Mysore were initially hesitant about being associated with the sex workers' project, they eventually relented when they realized that so many card-carrying sex workers would definitely increase the number of paying customers.
Reza-Paul also said that flashing a credit card-sized piece of plastic helped to boost the sex workers' self-esteem.
She said, 'They tell me that only rich people can normally have these kind of cards -- so it gives them a sense of pride and belonging.'
