The Class X students, taught by Radha Trivady, began studying about discrimination faced by the transgender community in India as part of their Class IX history curriculum last year.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) École Mondiale World School in Juhu, Mumbai may often be spoken of as one of the most expensive schools in Mumbai, but it was witness to a one-of-its kind integrative event over the weekend. For ‘Unheard Voices’, its Class X History students hosted members of the transgender, hijra community at the school. Among the invitees were founder-director of the voluntary organisation Kalki from Tamil Nadu and Manabi Bandyopadhyay who became India’s first transgender principal when she took charge of the Krishnanagar Women’s College, (110 km off Kolkata) last year.
The Class X students, taught by Radha Trivady, began studying about discrimination faced by the transgender community in India as part of their Class IX history curriculum last year. “Students brainstormed and decided to initiate activities and projects to empower the transgender community by creating employment opportunities for them; in particular the hijra community. In Class X, they took this idea forward by planning an event to bring together the school and the transgender community,” faculty Tulika Bathija told DNA. “This event has entirely been driven by the students, from organising, planning and curating speakers.”
Not only the parents at the event, but even the teachers were visibly overwhelmed to see the students’ motivation. “This leaves us hopeful of these legatees of the future and their abilities in creating change, breaking barriers and making efforts to create awareness about human rights on all levels,” Bathija pointed out.
Speaking on the occasion, transgender rights activist Kalki, who had come from Chennai, recounted her struggle in her family and significant others coming to terms with her sexuality. “My parents have always supported me but i faced a lot of bullying and cruelty from the boarding schoolmates who made fun of my feminine ways,” she reminisced and added, “During higher schooling, my parents enrolled me in a boys high school and I had no close friends. My classmates would tease me and verbally abuse me for (being) who I am. My teachers too would mock me. Hurt and longing for understanding and compassion, I bunked classes to hide in a park where I found Apsara, who later became my mother in the Thirunangai (transgender) family. This elder transsexual woman introduced me to others, making me realise I wasn’t alone or rare and unique.”
She painfully asked why transgenders in India are abndoned by their families. “They feel rejected by the family, and society gives them nothing but scorn. This is the worst kind of loneliness. Discrimination, social stigma, fear and depression sees many killing themselves.”
While appreciating how the Tamil Nadu government has allotted free housing, created a panel of doctors to provide healthcare and gender reassignment surgery and helps transwomen lead a dignified and happy life, she expressed pride about belonging to to the best trans-friendly model state in India. “But there is still a long way to go. Discrimination has reduced but not been wiped out. Most transwomen are poor and they need good housing, care homes for elders, employment and education for young transpeople.”
Speaking in Bengali, Bandopadhyay asked the students if this was a condolence meeting. “Why is everyone so serious? I know life has its challenges and trials but lets not forget to laugh and be happy too,” she said, elaborating her point with Tagore’s works rendered in Rabindra sangeet style. She also made a point about going beyond symbolism for the cameras. “Yes, I am the principal of a school and it feels nice to be recognised but I often feel like an ornamental head as the President of the country. The real deal will be when I’m included in the decision-making process. Otherwise I will remain a photo-op personality.”
Khushi from Grade 10 told DNA: “We started this initiative with an aim to persuade our school community for the need to create equal rights for transpeople. We wanted to make people realise the injustice and discrimination faced by the hijra community. The most valued part of this event was the feedback we got from this community, with them telling us how they felt when they were finally welcomed and made to feel that they belong. That made all our efforts worth it.” Her classmate Frazer added: “We hope our event raises awareness regarding the discrimination faced by the transgender community. We now wish to take this forward.”
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