For A. Sujatha, a 45-year-old transgender, begging has been the principal means of livelihood during her days in Mumbai. She was among the 30 transgenders who retuned from Mumbai to settle at Manavasi in Karur district in 2008.
Now, she is the proud leader of a transgender Self Help Group (SHG) in Karur that has embarked upon pursuing varied livelihood initiatives for a dignified life. While some members of the SHG have been rearing sheep and goats, others are into rearing milch animals, running small eateries, and renting out vessels for marriages and other functions . Although their businesses are small, they give them the financial independence and keep them busy all day long. It all started when they formed two SHGs – Thendral and Om Sakthi – with 10 members each a few years ago. Each group received Rs.5 lakh each two years ago from the State government. Of this, Rs. 2.5 lakh was a revolving fund and the remaining Rs.2.5 lakh was loan component. While Thendral group bought four milch animals and sheep and goats, the other group set up a rental vessel shop. Several others received Rs.20,000 each from the Social Welfare Department for starting small business ventures.
Though Thendral group suffered a setback when two of its milch animals died of Foot and Mouth disease, the members did not lose hope. “We worked hard and now we are happy that we have grown to support ourselves,” said Sujatha, a member.
Except a few, most of them have given up the practice of “money collection”. The days are not far when every one of us is relieved from the clutch of indignity, they said. Pointing to the steps taken to create livelihood opportunities for transgenders, Collector S.Jayandhi told The Hindu that they have been allotted 20 green houses at Manavasi, and the members have already occupied their houses.
I.Poongothai, District Social Welfare Officer, said that many of the transgender beneficiaries who had availed various welfare schemes have been doing well.
