Kolkata, the City of Joy, is known for its rich cultural heritage, intellectual legacy, and vibrant street life. Yet, beneath the surface of Durga Puja celebrations and literary addas, exists a parallel world that most residents prefer not to acknowledge openly—the world of call girls and the organized escort industry. This shadow economy has existed in the city for decades, evolving with...

The professional companion and escort services are in high demand in most of the Indian cities in the last few years. The rising trend in terms of tourist movement and business travelers together with the urban professional population has generated a palpable change in perceptions and arrangements of companionship services. In big cities such as Kolkata, and some of the up-and-coming ones such...