History Made! Sanjana Wins First Ever ‘Parivarthan Trans Queen 2018’ Beauty Pageant

History Made! Sanjana Wins First Ever ‘Parivarthan Trans Queen 2018’ Beauty Pageant

• History Made! Large Crowd Witnesses the Glittering FIRST Ever State Transgenders Beauty Pageant in Mangaluru. The Transqueen 2018 Crown was bagged by Sanjana from Dandeli/Karwar; and 1st Runner Up Transqueen – 2018 was Zoya Shiekh from Gulbarga, while 2nd Runner-Up Transqueen – 2018 was Srinidhi from Bellary Mangaluru

Mangaluru: In the newly rechristened “Kudmul Ranga Rao Purabhavana”, formerly known as “Town Hall” Mangaluru , 11 would-be beauty queens from across Karnataka helped to “Make History” on Sunday, 14 October when they competed in the State’s FIRST ever ‘Transgender Beauty Pageant’ in the beautiful and picturesque Coastal City-Mangaluru, organized by Parivarthan Charitable Trust (PCT) -Mangaluru, in association with Mangalorean.com, V4 News and Fashion ABCD. The event was inaugurated by Former state minister Amarnath Shetty, along with Sushil Noronha (JD-S Spokesperson), Violet Pereira, Founder of Parivarthan Charitable Trust Ms Joyce Rego- Miss India 2017, Ms Rimple Rai- Miss India Runway Diva 2018, Srinivas Gurjal member Censor board certification of India and Mr Goel from Pandit Resort, Charan Suvarna Partner Fashion ABCD and Laxman Kundar of V4 Channel.

In his inaugural speech, Former minister Amarnath Shetty said, “It’s unfortunate that Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy who was anxiously waiting to share his presence and joy at this unique event, which he wanted, but due slight delay in his flight landing, and also to other appointments prior to this programme, he had to skip this event, but he had conveyed his best wishes for the success of this Transgenders Beauty Pageant. Even other dignitaries who were supposed to grace this event couldn’t make it due to the protocol, but they all have extended their greetings and best wishes. I feel happy to be here amidst a unique community of transgenders, which Parivarthan Charitable Trust is making all efforts to bring them to the mainstream, and also giving them an opportunity to unleash their talents in this event. Change is happening in India and Karnataka, and it’s time that we all make a difference in trying to show respect and love towards the Transgender community and treat them equally. Let’s take this oath and look forward to a change in the society”.

The selected 11 finalists who walked the ramp on the final day were: 1. Sanjana-Dandeli, 2. Zoya Sheikh- Gulbarga 3. Subhadra Poojary- Mangaluru 4. Arundathi- Mysuru 5. Srinidhi-Bellary 6. Arundathi-Mandya 7. Sandhya-Bellary 8. Priya-Bengaluru 9. Rekha-Bellary 10. Anu- Shivamogga 11. Shwetha-Bengaluru. After thorough grooming for three days on communication skills, walking style, performance, etc and the Make -up done on the final day by the beauticians of Heaven Rose salon, Mangaluru, all these finalists stole the show on the Big Day, where they all did their best to earn their respective Titles.

And the large crowd that had occupied the seats inside the Hall, enjoyed every bit of the glittering and glamorous extravaganza, and cheered, applauded, some “Excited Men” even whistled, when the 11 Eleven finalists in this Beauty Pageant unleashed their hidden talents for the FIRST time, walked the Ramp for the FIRST time, and performed superbly in front of a live audience. The crowd was extremely supportive, cooperative and cherished every minute of the show, for the fact that they were surprised to see that even Transgenders could fare even better than the straight people. Wow- True but Amazing!

This Transgender Beauty Pageant was aimed to celebrate gender fluidity and enhance the profile of Karnataka’s trans community, with the winner being presented with an opportunity to represent India at the International Queen pageant in Thailand in March 2019. Like other pageants, the event featured plenty of glitter and rhinestones, but unlike other pageants, this ‘Transqueen’ Parivarthan Transgender Beauty Pageant made a point of declaring all the participants “winners,” (all were given the subtitles) in recognition of their struggle for acceptance and recognition.

They walked, they talked, they exposed their talents, they smiled, they looked good- but only difference from others was that they were all transgenders- and they did prove that they could also do better than the straight people, if they were given a chance- and this opportunity given to them by Parivarthan Charitable Trust worked out perfect in their favor, and they succeeded in showing the world, they too are human beings, and if given a proper Recognition and Respect, they too can accomplish their goals and reach greater heights.

In 2014, India’s supreme court legally gave transgender people the right to identify as a third gender. But while the law was hailed as a victory by activists, many in the trans community continue to face discrimination in everyday life. Sunday’s event was overseen by a four judging panel, consisting of Ms Joyce Rego- Miss India 2017, Ms Rimple Rai- Miss India Runway Diva 2018, Srinivas Gurjal member Censor board certification of India and Mr Goel from Pandit Resort.

This event was the brainchild of Ms Violet Pereira- the Founder of PCT, put forth by Sanjana, the Secretary of PCT, and they both were inspired to create the pageant after listening to other Transgenders — a traditionally revered, yet ostracized group of male-to-female transgendered people in Karnataka — discuss issues facing their community. “I realized that … change was not coming. When straight people like me … actually, stand up for the cause and fight for them, only then the change will come. And without any further delay I decided to go ahead in planning this event, which turned out to a successful one”, said Ms Violet Pereira after the event.

The show was unique, which Mangaloreans experienced for the First time. The contestants had big hair, some short and bigger false eyelashes, and with the crowd cheering them on, they sashayed down the catwalk in six-inch platform heels with confidence and style. And the cheering and applauds filled the atmosphere. There were three rounds of walk for these 11 finalists to win their titles- Walk the ramp in Traditional (Saree) attire, being the first round, second round in casual attire, and third round in evening gown attire- following which they had to face the judges, by answering one query posed at them by the judges. The questions were asked in English, Kannada and Hindi, and all the finalists did a great job in giving suitable answers.

Among the answers given back by the finalists, many of them thanked and attributed their first-time performance on the stage/ramp to Parivarthan Charitable Trust, and also asked the audience and the rest of the world to respect and treat Transgenders equally, just like other human beings. Many of them also said, if they win the Crown, they would bring a change in the Transgender community, to see that they reach greater heights, and also get the required facilities and benefits enjoyed by straight people, thereby making a difference in the society.

Addressing the audience, Ms Dr Sharada Bangera of Mangaluru, the Miss India Universe Melbourne 2017 said, “I would like to thank PCT for giving this opportunity for these transgenders to come forward and show their talents, and also trying to bring them to the mainstream. When I was in Melbourne-Australia I found out everyone was treated equally, including the transgenders. That trend is yet to come to India, and by organizing these kinds of events, surely changes could be made and also a difference in the community, where people would start to respect the transgenders and make them feel like their own and equal”.

After three rounds of ramp walk, and interview round, the judges made their decisions by announcing the titles namely-

Transqueen beautiful eyes -Arundhati Mandya
Transqueen perfect 10 – Sandhya Ballary
Transqueen beautiful skin – Srinidhi Ballary
Transqueen talented – Zareena
Transqueen fashion icon – Subhadra Poojary Mangaluru
Transqueen ramp walk – Zoya Shiekh Gulbarga
Transqueen popular – Sanjana Karwar
Transqueen active – Shwetha Bengaluru
Transqueen refreshing beauty – Rekha Ballary
Transqueen photogenic – Arundhati Mysuru
Transqueen Miss Inspiring – Priya Bengaluru

And the Winner of the coveted Transqueen – 2018 Crown was Sanjana from Dandeli, and 1st Runner Up Transqueen – 2018 Zoya Shiekh from Gulbarga, while 2nd Runner-Up Transqueen – 2018 Srinidhi from Bellary. The winners were honored with the respective sashes along with gift vouchers and other hampers. Following the ramp walk of all these finalists, the lady behind this event Ms Violet Pereira was requested to take a walk on the ramp and was given a loud applaud from the audience, and in reply, she thanked everyone for their support in making this event a grand success.

The event also saw mesmerizing dances by Mangaluru’s dance group “Sizzling Guys”, which enthralled the audience. This event brought to you Parivarthan Charitable trust, a Ray of Hope for transgenders, was initiated in 2016, and since its inception has been working for the welfare of the Transgenders. Parivarthan Trust also celebrated the World’s First “Transgenders Day” on March 12 commemorating the birthday of  Violet Pereira, the Founder of the Trust, and the tradition in celebrating ‘Transgenders Day’ has been continued for the past two years. Last year, The Trust also hosted the FIRST ever Christmas Celebration with the Transgenders, thereby bringing the joy and fun during Christmas time among the Transgenders, and putting miles of smiles on their faces.

Yes, History was made in Mangaluru through this Unique and FIRST of its Beauty Pageant- and everyone went home with sweet memories of a great event, which many had witnessed and experienced for the First time!

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