Eight push carts and two sewing machines were given to members of the transgender community at an event held here on Tuesday.
Titled “Transgender Rehabilitation”, the event was jointly organised by Rotary Club of Coimbatore Ikons and Praxair Surface Technologies. Inaugurating the event, Deputy Commissioner of Police-Law and Order, Coimbatore City, L. Balaji Saravanan asked the transgender people to use the opportunities provided through the event to become role models for other members of the community. Noting recent incidents of a few transgenders indulging in extortion, he said such complaints must not arise again and that the police will extend its support to the community.
Hansung Kim, Vice President, Asia Praxair Surface Technologies, was the guest of honour at the event.
Sangeetha S. Mehta, president of Rotary Club of Coimbatore Ikons, said the event was a small initiative from the organisation for the uplift of the transgender community.
Towards the end of the meeting, Padmini, a member of the transgender community, requested the speakers on the dais to provide assistance for education for the members of the community. In response, Mr. Saravanan and members from Rotary Club of Coimbatore Ikons assured the community of the required support.
Mr. Saravanan distributed the cycle carts, Mr. Kim distributed the vessels required for the business and V. Devarajan, Assistant Governor, Rotary District 3201, distributed the sewing machines.
One of the officials from Praxair said that 50 sarees and food packets were also distributed. The total cost of all the distributed items was around ₹ 3.7 lakh, the official said.
Around 25 members from the transgender community were the beneficiaries of the event, who were identified by the Coimbatore Transgenders Association, Koundamplayam, an office-bearer of Rotary Club of Coimbatore Ikons said.