Transgenders want to be at the wheel

These transgender were different in deed. They want to live with respect though they knew it pretty well that they have some biological deficiencies and prefer to say good bye to begging which is common among them for their livelihood. The District Collector came to their rescue and decided to make them part of the skill development initiatives in which they have interest.

Majority of transgenders have chosen driving field while some others prefer beautician and tailoring courses. Post Graduates, Graduates, BTech degree holders were also there in the group. As they were considered as third category, they always felt the pinch of discrimination everywhere and have become a separate entity living far from city at a colony and struggling for their existence.

Normally, they depend on the livelihood on begging as there was no other alternative. One BTech graduate among them has worked in a reputed private company in the city but when colleagues ridiculed them all the time, she has given up the job and became Hijra. Some other Hijra was the topper in SSC examination and even completed graduation. After the government has included them in the department for welfare of disabled and senior citizens through which they became eligible for welfare schemes along with disabled persons.

Accordingly, they were getting a pension of Rs.1500 per head which was now enhanced up to Rs.3000, said the District Manager, Mahila Pragathi Pranganam Dr K Prameela. She said that several of them have came from very respectful families and for no fault of them they became transgenders and feeling humiliated everywhere. It was learnt that once the government announced pension to them they have given up prostitution and was continuing with begging only.

“During my interaction with them they said that the society was not accepting us as a part of it. But their Hijra society has been treating them well. District Collector PS Pradyumna has asked us to provide skill training on their chosen field based on their educational standard and other aspects”, Dr Prameela said. As, 20 transgenders have opted driving, Mahila Pranganam officials engaged a driving school which was providing three cars to teach driving lessons to them which will continue for one month.

The transgenders were very enthusiastic in learning the driving. “They believe that if any one of them reaches to a good position, the society will accept them which their families also will follow. And they have been putting all efforts in their direction”, she said. Prameela added that after training, their department will see that all of them get permanent driving licenses too.

One of the transgenders M Divya who has completed BSc Computers, has expressed strong desire of getting a government job as driver. “As a first step the collector has provided us a good training programme. The government should also take some of us as drivers other can be provided loans to buy cars and start travels. The training programme was so good and taking our confidence levels to a new high”, she said.

Another transgender J Pravallika said that apart from this skill training, they need government cooperation in getting jobs. Once the government appoint them, private companies will have no hesitation and take others gradually. She added that they should be treated as eligible to apply for government housing scheme so that they can get shelter.

- V PRADEEP KUMAR