Transgenders to man Aavin parlour

Udhagamandalam: The hill retreat on Thursday got its first-ever Aavin parlour run by transgenders. Inaugurated by M Vallalar, managing director, Aavin, in the presence of district collector J Innocent Divya, the dairy centre at the Poomalai commercial complex in Charing Cross in Ooty will be manned by a self-help group comprising five transgenders.
P Babu, project director, Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihoods Mission (TNSRLM), said the self-help group was floated with an objective to help transgenders find more acceptance in the society. “We wanted to encourage them socially and morally.”
Pointing out that at least 10-12 members were required to form a self-help group, he said, “This is a special group with just five members.”
While the centre has been set up at a reduced cost by the Aavin management, TNSRLM has rented out the space at the Poomalai commercial complex to them at a minimal rent.
“We have also arranged them a loan of Rs 5 lakh from the district cooperative bank towards working capital,” Babu said.
Sowmya, one of the group members, said, “We are happy that the Aavin management, district administration and TNSRLM project director have come forward to encourage us and help us enhance our lifestyle.”