[1]All these years, it has been a tough life for the people from the Indian transgender community. But things seem to be changing. Even the thought of including them in a mainstream profession has brought a smile on their faces.
The proposal by Arunachal Pradesh Home minister Tako Dabi to the Union Home Ministry, Defence Ministry and the Planning Commission to set up a special army regiment comprising eunuchs has been received well. They see this as an opportunity that would integrate them into the mainstream.
The idea seems really appealing to transgender community activist, Laxmi Narayan Tripathi. “What better than a job in the army?” she says, adding that patriotism has nothing to do with sexual preferences. She, of course wants the transgender community to excel in everything. “But one thing leads the way to another. If this proposal is approved by the government, I’m sure even other companies would give us a chance,” she says.
Youngsters in the capital agree. Journalist Sashwati Sanyal, who is very devoted to the cause of the community, says that they don’t lack intelligence and if given proper education and resources they can do very well. “Joining the army will give them respect and help them gain confidence,” she adds.
However, a final year college student Simranjeet Singh has a different opinion. “Jobs in creative sectors would be easy for them to take up. For example, we all remember the transgender role of Sadashiv Amrapurkar in Sadak and Ashutosh Rana in Shabnam Mausi. Filmmakers chose men to play the role of a transgender. Why couldn’t a transgender be hired for roles like these? It will open many doors for them,” he says.
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[1] http://archive.asianage.com/tab2jpg-707