Do They Know It’s Christmas? The 1st Christmas Celebration for Transgenders by PC Trust

Do They Know It’s Christmas? The 1st Christmas Celebration for Transgenders by PC Trust

Do They Know It’s Christmas? The 1st Christmas Celebration for Transgenders by Parivarthan Charitable Trust-Mangaluru, to be held at Roshini Nilaya School of Social Work Auditorium on Saturday, 2 December 2017 at 10 am. Come join for a Unique Christmas Celebration with Unique “Human Beings” called “Transgenders”

Mangaluru: Do They Know It’s Christmas? -a very thought-provoking song performed by various singers under the banner “Band-Aid 30” composed by singers Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984 to raise money for relief of the 1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia- and released by Band Aid on 29 November 1984. A few lyrics from that song, “It’s Christmas time, and there’s no need to be afraid; At Christmas time, we let in light and banish shade; And in our world of plenty, we can spread a smile of joy; Throw your arms around the world, At Christmas time; But say a prayer and pray for the other ones; Bring peace and joy this Christmas; A song of hope they’ll have is being alive…..and similar is the case when it comes in the life of Transgenders, where many of them might have never heard the name “Christmas” nor celebrated it.

Not any more…thinking of these Transgenders, and in order to bring joy and smile on their faces, Parivarthan Charitable Trust, a Ray of Hope for Transgenders, has decided to celebrate this FIRST ever “Christmas Celebration with the Transgenders”, with a aim to show that the Transgenders too are not neglected, and also to show that they have someone who really cares for them. And this Unique Kind of Christmas Celebration will be held on December 2, 2017 at 10:00 am at the Roshni Nilaya School of Social Work Auditorium-Valencia, Mangaluru. Yes, Christmas is just around the corner. For many, gathering together in our anticipation of the coming of the Christ Child, praying and worshiping as a body of believers, offers us space for a deep, collective sigh of spiritual relief. There are lots of activities taking place before the actual day of Christmas, where Churches organize many contests, carol singing; and homes will be decorated with colorful lights and twinkling stars- and what not.

Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Mangalore Press Club on 30 November, Ms Violet Pereira – Founder and Managing trustee Parivarthan Charitable Trust said, ” The Christmas festival is celebrated with our near and dear ones- and the preparation begins days ahead of this great feast, where various dishes and sweets, as they call “Kuswar” are prepared, and homes being illuminated and decorated. Christmas season is also where people plan Christmas parties, celebrations, preparing cakes etc. -and even buy or stitch new clothes for the occasion, buy gold ornaments and send greetings to family members, relatives and friends living locally, in India and abroad. But in the meantime, during all this fun and celebration, it’s unlikely that we think of the most neglected people in the society. How many of us have ever thought of celebrating this Christmas with the marginalized, neglected and the most deprived in the society?”

“Even for those in our midst who may struggle at this time of year, Christmas season can still offer community, sustaining spirit, and loving accompaniment. But for many TRANSGENDER persons, this Christmas Season has been completely unaware of. Many of them suffer various forms of dislocation, isolation, grief, and loneliness, with no friends to communicate or socialize with. Many of them also have limited resources for caring for themselves during times of increased aloneness. Many of them have limited means for bodily health and safety, year round, but we should all know that Transgenders are also human just like other human beings.” added Pereira.

She further said, “Among the bevy of dignitaries who would be gracing this occasion are District Minister In-charge Ramanath Rai; MLA of Mangaluru South Constituency J R Lobo; MLA of Mangaluru North Constituency Moideen Bava; and Principal School of Roshni Nilaya Dr Sophia Fernandes-as chief guests. President of Parivarthan Charitable Trust Swapna will preside over the programme. Transgenders namely Sanjana, Srinidhi, and Chandrakala will be felicitated on the occasion for their changes in their lives and their achievements. The celebration will also include cultural programme by the Transgenders as well as the students of Roshni Nilaya. There will also be a guest appearance by Santa Claus, who will be distributing sweets to the young and old”

Parivarthan Charitable Trust ever since its inception has always been struggling to bring the transgenders to the mainstream of the society. Most of them long to live a normal life and want to be treated equally without any discrimination, and many of them literally requesting the society to provide them with jobs so that they could have had dignified lives like others. In this connection, the Trust humbly solicit the support from media friends and well-wishers, so that together we can bring awareness among the general public about transgenders who are in no way different from us and provide them with jobs and other facilities from the government.

Even though the Trust has made a difference in the lives of some of the Transgenders, who have made accomplishments and reached to a standard-like the secretary of Parivarthan Charitable Trust, Sanjana has been selected as the Brand Ambassador for the National-level Lagori Tournament -2018 which will be held during January 2018 at the Karavali Utsav Grounds-that’s good news for the Trust! Also Treasurer of the Trust Srinidhi and member Chandrakala have completed their tailoring courses successfully at Karnataka Polytechnic which is also a pride moment for Parivarthan Charitable Trust.

Transgenders seen with Corporator Pratibha Kulai and Violet Pereira

Other members present during the press meet were Sanjana – Secretary of Parivarthan Charitable Trust, Srinidhi – Treasurer of Parivarthan Charitable Trust, Ramya – Member of Parivarthan Charitable Trust,and Deepak Ganguli – Proprietor-Pathway Enterprises (an Event Co)