Parivarthan Charitable Trust and Besant Women’s College Celebrate Transgenders’ Day

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Alfie D'Souza, Pics by Jp, Team Mangalorean.
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Parivarthan Charitable Trust and Besant Women’s College Celebrate Transgenders’ Day

Mangaluru: The Parivarthan Charitable Trust (Bringing a Ray of Hope to Change lives of Transgenders) in association with the Dept of English and the Dept of Political Science-Besant Women’s College-Mangaluru organized “Transgender’s Day”,(To create a Better world for Them) at the BWC Auditorium amidst a large crowd predominately of lecturers, students, transgenders and well-wishers on March 12. The programme began with a prayer song rendered by the students of BWC, followed by welcome address by Dr Satish Kumar Shetty-Principal, BWC. Momentos were offered to the chief guest- Uma Prashanth- DCP Crime and Traffic-Mangaluru City Police Commissionerate, along with guests of honor- Mallanna Gowda- Senior Civil Judge and Secretary-District Legal services Authority; Kudupi Jagadish Shenoy- President-WNES; Manel Annappa Nayak- Vice President-WNES; Shyam Sundar Kamath-Secretary-WNES; K Devanand Pai-Correspondent-BWC; Violet Pereira- Founder of Parivarthan Trust and Swapna- President of Parivarthan Trust.

Like Former US President Barack Obama had said, “Every single American or non-American – gay, bisexual, or transgender – they deserve to be treated equally in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of our society. It’s a pretty simple proposition. I think what you’re seeing is a profound recognition on the part of the American people that gays and lesbians and transgender persons are our brothers, our sisters, our children, our cousins, our friends, our co-workers, and that they’ve got to be treated like every other American. And I think that principle will win out” and Andreja Pejic, an Australian model, and the first openly transgender model to be profiled in Vogue magazine had said, ““I would like them to understand that we are people. We’re human beings, and this is a human life. This is reality for us, and all we ask for is acceptance and validation for what we say that we are. It’s a basic human right.” — and for that matter “Transgenders’ Day’ that originated in Mangaluru-India in 2017 will speak in volumes, that TG’s are also cared for and looked after as equal human beings. Period!

Yes, in the World or in our country, we celebrate Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Children’s Day, Grandparent’s Day, Valentine’s Day, etc., but we have never thought about Transgenders who are also humans and have the same feelings like us. They too need to be recognized and encouraged for their talents by society. Most of the transgenders do not get the opportunity to come out and mix with other people in the society due to certain barriers and the mindset of the people. So why not encourage them by celebrating ‘Transgender’s Day’ and make a difference”- well said by Violet Pereira, the Founder and Life Trustee of Parivarthan Charitable Trust (R)-Mangaluru, who took the initiative to launch a “Transgender’s Day” for the First Time in the History of Karnataka, probably in the Nation or Internationally in March 2017.

Now, if you google you’ll find “Transgenders Day of Remembrance”, but you never used to find “Transgender’s Day’- but since March 2017 “Transgender’s Day” will pop up when you do the Google search. Compliments to Violet Pereira for her thoughtful thinking of the Transgenders, whom she has been fighting for their rights and justice since years- and thus has added another feather in her cap, by introducing “Transgender’s Day”. Even though Violet had criticisms, hate messages, from social media and also on a local websites, she never gave up, and stood behind her project- and today, the Trust which cares for the Transgenders has been blessed, and today’s programme and the support from the management, staff and students showed that the TG’s are not going to be neglected anymore, instead will be respected, cared and loved just like other genders.

In her keynote address, Founder and Life Trustee of Parivarthan Charitable Trust Violet Pereira said, “The Trust was started on August 30, 2016, for the welfare of the Transgenders. In our country, we celebrate Father’s day, Mother’s day, Children’s day, Valentine’s day, etc., but we have never thought about transgenders who are also humans and have the same feelings like us. They too need to be recognized and encouraged for their talents by society. Most of the transgenders do not get the opportunity to come out and mix with other people in the society due to certain barriers and the mindset of the people. To bring awareness to the students on the life of transgenders which will help in bringing a change in the minds of the students as well as the society I decided to celebrate Transgenders day on my birthday (March 12). Last year due to some reasons we had celebrated the Transgenders day on March 22, and in the programme we have decided to celebrate the Transgenders day on March 12 every year. We’ll celebrate every year and recognize them for their achievements”.

Violet Pereira further said, “When good work is done there are only a few to pat our back, but to find fault and defame a person there are many losers whose work is just that. No matter what criticisms or hate comments come my way, I will not stop my activities to help the transgenders to bring them to the mainstream in the society since they too are human beings and it is my duty to support them. The Trust has helped the TG get their Aadhar Card, Ration Card, open bank accounts, even sent them to tailoring and beautician courses, I urge the students and the faculty to join the Trust to strengthen the transgenders and bring them to the mainstream. I know there are many students who are ready to support our Trust- let us work together to bring a difference in the lives of these “Human Beings”, who are just like Us”, added Violet.

Addressing the audience, Chief guest Uma Prashanth said, “First and foremost I would like to compliment Violet Pereira for her thoughtful initiative in creating a ‘Transgender’s day, on her birthday, and also for her care towards the Transgenders in trying to bring them up in the society that we all live as human beings. People are more conscious of transgender people now than ever before, thanks to the fact that individual things have already happened to make that so. Things seem to need to build up a certain amount of momentum and backing before the general public and the media and Trust like this one, acknowledge them.”

“Seems like things have been good enough lately that a lot of previously closeted transgender people have come out and/or begun transitioning, and people have realized that they know more trans folks than they thought. These things put together have meant that people are aware of trans people as real people, rather than the negative stereotypes that were so prevalent and so toxic years ago. Whatever help that the Trust and the Transgenders need from Police Department, I will see that they are obliged. Let us all treat Transgenders equally, and make them feel that they too belong in the society that we all live.” added DCP Uma.

Mallanna Gowda also speaking said, “I was not aware until I was invited for this programme that there existed a Transgenders’ Day- and that too it started in Mangaluru. I am proud of this unique programme honouring the Transgenders, who also are human beings just like all of us. Sadly the life of TGs in India is not in good shape-they are being neglected, discriminated, hated, shown disrespect etc- but I am glad that Trust like this will play an important role in the lives of these TGs to bring them to the mainstream. Kudos to Violet Madam and also to the management, staff and students of BWC to come forward and show your respect and love to this unique community, thereby putting miles of smiles on their faces. Whatever help I can render from the District Legal services authority I am ready for it- and if the TGs need any legal assistance I will oblige. Great programme, Great Initiative “

In a heart-warming announcement made by Kudupi Jagadish Shenoy-president of Women’s National Education Society (WNES) (which a registered not-for-profit organisation, comprising of Besant Group of Institutions namely- Besant Higher Primary School; National High School; Besant English School; Besant Pre University College; Besant Women’s College; Besant Evening College; and MSNM Besant Institute of PG Management Studies) during his presidential address said, “I am happy to announce a New Year Gift to these energetic and talented Transgenders gathered here, that WNES will offer Free Education for Transgenders. And also I am ready to offer these TG’s jobs at my factory (Taj Mahal Restaurants Pvt Ltd) if they willing to join our team. I am also overwhelmed by this unique programme which I am seeing for the first time, and BWC will lend support to TGs in their needs. Great job for organizing a unique programme with unique community members by Parivarthan Charitable Trust at Besant College”.

Swapna expressed her words of wisdom saying, “My sincere thanks to Violet who has been like our Mother, helping us to come up in our lives. The Trust which she started has been very helpful to all of us (Transgenders) and we will try our best to bring a change in our lifestyle. With all the support and encouragement that we TGs may get from the Trust and citizens, I feel that success will be on our way. I consider this day (Transgender’s day) as a Beautiful day, and I will cherish it forever. All I ask is that we need love, care and respect from you all- and I am confident that today’s programme will convince and motivate you all students and other people gathered here”.

Annappa Nayak and K Dayanand Pai also spoke and requested the students to respect Transgenders also as human beings and accept them in the society without any discrimination. Few other transgenders also expressed their gratitude to the Trust for making them known in the society as human beings and also for getting them the facilities like others enjoy. The vote of thanks was proposed by Meera Edna Coelho-Professor in English, BWC, while Kaushalya Devi- a BWC student professionally compered the programme. Today’s Transgenders’ Day coinciding with the Birthday of Founder of the Parivarthan Trust-Violet Pereira- a delicious cake was cut and shared between the dignitaries on the dais and among TGs. The formal function ended with cultural performances with mesmerizing dances by TGs and students of BWC, which received loud applaud from the audience. The dance performances by TGs simply rocked!

Parivarthan Charitable sincerely thanks Ms Meera Edna Coelho, Ms Preetha Bhandary, Krishnananda Shenoy & Ms Raviprabha- all professors at BWC for their excellent arrangements and making this unique programme successful. Thanks also to the management, staff and students for their support and encouragement- you all made a big difference in the lives of these TGs and brought miles of smiles on their faces. You all will be remembered forever by these TGs for the love you showed on this great day.

In conclusion, we need to compliment and commend Violet Pereira and the Trust she founded, which has always been there to address the problems of the Transgenders since its inception and has been trying to bring every Transgender in and around Mangaluru to the mainstream. There are so many unsung, un-wept and un-honoured in the journey called life. Time and again these Transgenders continue to do great work without even asking for anything. It behoves us to elevate such human beings to such recognition, encouragement, goodwill or help is sometimes the only thing they (transgenders) need, like a pat on the back, like we felicitated Kajol today. And remember, Transgenders are also people. They’re human beings, and have a human life!

“March 12, 2018, celebrated as Transgenders’ Day, will be etched in the annals of Besant Women’s College (BWC) as a DAY on which a unique programme was organized for the unique community of Transgenders. This is a matter of pride for all of us at BWC”- Meera Edna Coelho- Professor in English at BWC in her Vote of thanks.

I end this column with a thought-provoking song paying tribute to the ‘TRANSGENDERS’, that they too are ‘WONDERFUL PEOPLE’, which was shown on the Screen during the programme:

Click on the Link below to hear the lyric of the Song “I Think You’re Wonderful”

Click here for Photo Album

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Janette D'souza
6 years ago

Hats off Violet for ur great concern and unique initiative in celebrating a special day for our lesser previleged and marginalized community members. I am really proud of you. May your tribe increase.

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