Chennai :
Prithika Yashini has come a long way to become the first transgender to hold the post of Sub Inspector of Police in Tamil Nadu.
“I’ll now have to undergo training like other police officers and later will get my posting. I am very excited right now,” said Prithika. A few months ago Prithika was sitting outside the Jawahar Lal Indoor stadium and crying after she was disqualified at the final 100 metre lap, with a few seconds mark. “That was the worst time ever. I had to fight to get everything right from an application to enter the fitness test. I was finally exhausted and the pressure was huge. I had no time to practice well. But thanks to my family, friends and the High Court I am finally going to live my dream of becoming an SI. I wish more services open doors to transgenders, as we too are normal people,” she said.
Adding to this, Rose a popular transgender television personality spoke about the need to involve them in mainstream life. “I remember being thrown out wherever I used to go to attend interviews in the beginning. I had literally stopped dreaming about leading a life of my choice. But due to my perserverence and contact with the right people I managed to be where I am today, and trust me it still takes time for people to accept me the way I am,” she said.
Prithika’s struggle to open doors for the third gender to be recruited by the the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Recruitment Board has made her the epitome of hardwork and perseverance amongst all, “She is now the shining light of our community,” said Dhanam, member of Snehiti organisation, an NGO for transgender welfare. “Her move has made us all believe that we too can be more than what we dream of or are made to dream of,” said Dhanam. S Noorie, member of the South Indian Positive Network said that the exclusion of transgenders from the mainstream world has put their survival in question.
“Many go into depression and for what? For being born this way. How is that out fault. Most don’t even dream of getting into government or any socially recognised jobs, as they know that their everyday survival will be full of tension personally,” She added that all services including defence and government jobs must include third gender quota while recruitment. “All we want is to be treated normally as others are. The more looked down the more they become excluded and enter flesh trade and begging, which has sadly become the symbol of our existence.
Given responsibility we too will do good for the society and the people. I hope we see this change sometime in future, and I think it will come soon,” said an enthusiastic Noorie. On the other hand, Prithika is busy planning out what all she wants to change in her capacity. “There are several things I want to put in place like women’s security, safety and many social issues. I’m still thinking. And I hope I am able to execute all my points one by one and help the public,” said Prithika.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Aditi R, ENS / November 06th, 2015