'I Am What I Am’: Prajwala founder Sunitha Krishnan launches autobiography in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Prajwala founder Sunitha Krishnan launched her autobiography, 'I Am What I Am,' at the GreenPark Hotel, Hyderabad, on Friday.

US Consul General Jennifer Larson and Telangana Minister Seethakka were chief guests at the event.

A prominent social activist, Sunitha Krishnan, who has dedicated her life to the rescue and rehabilitation of sex trafficking and sex crime victims, shares her personal and professional journey in this memoir.

The 284-page book offers a candid look into her life, including her own experiences as a survivor of sexual assault.

Sunitha explains, “I’m sharing the truth of my life to the limits that I can. If people can understand how I have used my adversities as an opportunity, then maybe it would encourage more people to take up such social causes. I want people to understand that a normal person, with all the frailties and weaknesses that we possess, is capable of bringing about change.”

Established in 1996, Prajwala has conducted numerous rescue operations both within India and internationally and now boasts a team of 200 members based in Telangana. The book provides an in-depth look at these initiatives and the challenges faced by the organization.

Sunitha emphasizes that the autobiography does not cover her entire life, stating, “This book represents only about 40 percent of my life. I've chosen not to include many less hopeful aspects, as I don't believe in naming and shaming people. Instead, the focus is on what I've learned."

The book begins with a harrowing incident that occurred in Hyderabad, four years after Prajwala was established. Sunitha recalls receiving a call from a police constable about a young girl at Falaknuma railway station, “When I reached, I found a young girl, maybe 6-7 years old or even younger, who was covered in a pool of blood. It appeared that she had been gang-raped. Her intestines were spilling out of her. We rushed the child to the hospital.”

Such stories are woven throughout the narrative, highlighting the grim realities faced by victims and the tireless efforts of rescue and rehabilitation.

As a survivor herself, Sunitha urges others to find strength within, saying, ”I used my adversities as a catalyst for change in the world. Rather than seeking external validation or support, I believe in looking within for strength. Many people get caught up in worrying about what others think of them, which often leads to the neglect of serious issues like sex crimes. What truly matters is how you view yourself and what you can contribute to the world."

Priced at Rs 699, 'I Am What I Am' is available online and at bookstores across the city. The autobiography stands as a testament to resilience and the transformative power of turning personal suffering into a force for social change.