India is all set to get its first transgender police sub-inspector in the form of Chennai’s K Prithika Yashini. She was entitled to the job after a landmark judgment given by the Madras High Court. It directed the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB) to recruit a transgender as Sub Inspector of police.
Her Journey
However, the journey for Yashini was not easy. Her application for the post was initially denied bust she didn’t lose the heart and moved to the High Court. She made her point strong by citing a Supreme Court judgment that directs city and state governments to consider transgender as educationally and socially backward citizens and give them reservation in all kinds of educational bodies and public sector appointments.
It was after 10 months of arduous legal battle that she finally got the permission to join the state’s police force.
Cause Of Transgenders
Yashini’s struggle not only proved beneficial for her but also for the other transgenders who want to apply for the jobs in the police department as Madras High Court further directed TNUSRB to include “third gender” in application form before the next recruitment process.
While this recruitment has an obvious social impact, the court also hoped that Yashini will carry out her duties with commitment and dedication to take the cause of transgenders further.
Inspiring Stories
The discrimination suffered by the transgenders in the society is difficult for male or females to realize. As soon as we hear the word transgender, the very image that pops up in our mind is of someone exhibiting bizarre & loud behavior, gate crashing home after baby birth or unanimously landing up at weddings.
However, third gender is breaking the stereotypes and is coming out to make its presence felt.
Take a look at some inspiring stories which have helped in advancing the cause of transgenders.
First College Principal
Dr Manabi Bandopadhyay was appointed India’s first transgender college principal in June this year.
The 50-year-old educationist received a warm welcome from the students for fighting all odds and taking charge of such an important position.
Born as Somnath, she underwent a sex change operation a decade ago after realizing that she was a woman trapped in man’s body.
First Mayor
Madhu Kinnar was elected as India’s only transgender mayor by the voters of Raigarh in January this year. She fought as an independent candidate and defeated the BJP’s Mahaveer Guruji by 4,537 votes.
Previously she used to make her living by dancing on trains and streets, where she realized that sanitation is the biggest problem of her city.
First News Anchor
Padmini Prakash became India’s first transgender to anchor a daily television news show last year in September. She presents a news bulletin every evening at 19:00 on the Tamil-language Lotus TV
“I am so happy. The message has gone all over India and the internet,” said Padmni who was thrilled with the new job and the difference it would bring to her community.
After being disowned by family at the age of 13, Padmini attempted suicide. But later she gave a new meaning to her life and made her presence felt. She joined undergraduate program, learnt Bharatnatyam, won transgender beauty contests, acted in a television serial and now has become a news presenter.
First Music Album
In January this year, nine transgenders from pan-India took a unique musical step to establish their identity in this two gender leaded world. They lend their voice to a musical album titled “Songs of the Caravan“. It features nine singers singing in nine different languages.
The album well expressed the yearning, angst, ambition and love they crave for.
It was aimed at creating awareness and establishing these transwomen as independent, talented and empowered women.
9 Nov 2015
Rumani