While officials at an orientation here on Wednesday suggested transgenders operate mobile canteens and sell homemade products to earn livelihood, the latter expressed that this would not be possible as they still face the stigma of non-acceptance by people.
Parivarthan Charitable Trust, a non-governmental organisation working for the welfare of transgenders, had organised the orientation that was attended by about 20 transgenders.
Shivakumar Magada, head, Krishi Vignan Kendra, Mangaluru, said the kendra would provide training in skills including making household products from jackfruit and fish. It will train women in running mobile ‘Saviruchi’ canteens. “There are a wide range of skills that can be learnt at our kendra,” he said.
However, a transgender questioned, “When people desist from speaking with us, how will they eat what we serve them in a mobile canteen?”. Mr. Magada responded that it took time for people to change their perception towards transgenders.
Another transgender said that despite their learning skills, they still faced discrimination while getting jobs. “I did a beautician’s course. A unisex saloon offered me a job on the condition that I will not utter a word while at work,” she said.
Discrimination by police
“Despite working in an honourable job, the police still hit me when they see me walk from my work place to my house. I am still being called to the police station,” she went on to add. Moreover, transgenders were still being treated rudely in hospitals, she added.
Training together
Representatives from Rural Development and Self Employment Training (RUDSET) Institute, Ujire, discussed the training programmes. There was a presentation by representatives of Karnataka German Training Institute that runs programmes under the Koushalya Karnataka Scheme of the State government. The officials said training will not be organised exclusively for transgenders but would be conducted for them along with other trainees.