Hyderabad. A long battle has been fought for the rights of transgenders. After the historic decision of the Supreme Court, many rights of the people of this community were recognized in a concrete way. Many organizations and people are active for the rights of transgenders. Amidst all this, the police department has done such work, which is being praised everywhere. Their efforts have brought revolutionary changes in the lives of more than three dozen transgenders. People in the society have started respecting them. Also, families have started accepting them.

This story is from Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana. How pleasant it is to go from begging on the streets of the metropolis to managing traffic on the spot, can be told by 39 transgenders, whose lives have changed with a small initiative. It has been an incredible journey of empowerment for 39 transgenders in Hyderabad. They have been included as traffic assistants to help the city police. Transgenders appointed as traffic assistants on a trial basis say that now they get respect from people, whereas in the past they had to face severe discrimination and humiliation.

Happy feeling
Transgender traffic assistant Nisha said on Friday that it is a very good thing that we are managing traffic even in those places where we used to beg earlier. Nisha, who works at the Patni Center here, thanked Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for giving opportunities to the transgender community. Nisha, who has studied till class XII, said that she had to face discrimination from society, college, friends and even parents. Nisha said, 'My parents did not accept me, but now they have accepted me. My friends used to stay away from me, but now they send me messages and stay in touch. After getting the job, my relatives and other people are praising me. It is a surprise. I cannot express it in words.'

A matter of pride
Another traffic assistant Sana said that it is a matter of pride for them that they get respect from the citizens, whereas earlier people were hesitant to even talk to them. Additional CP (Traffic) P. Vishwa Prasad said that the transgender traffic assistants are doing a good job and no complaint or any unusual thing has been reported since their appointment about 10 days ago. The additional CP said that it will take some time for the people of the transgender community to acquire professional skills. They want to mingle with the society and do good. It all started when in November last year Chief Minister Reddy asked the officials to appoint transgenders as traffic volunteers in high traffic areas of the city.