Parivarthan members attend Voter Education and Awareness workshop at ZP

Parivarthan members attend Voter Education and Awareness workshop at ZP

Mangaluru: Under the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme, a workshop was held for the members of Parivarthan Charitable Trust at the Zilla Panchayat premises here on April 9.

Deputy director of Dakshina Kannada women and children welfare association Sundar Poojary welcomed the gathering.

CEO Zilla Panchayat Dr M R Ravi, speaking on the occasion said, “The election commission has decided to include the physically challenged and transgenders into the voting process. You all know about the elections and its seriousness.

Dr M R Ravi further said, “It is not possible for the government to enroll all of you into the voters list but Violet Pereira through Parivarthan Charitable Trust has come forward to enroll you all in the voters list. We have 153 members from the transgender community. There are a number of reasons that you have been deprived of your rights. Till date, we all have neglected the transgenders. The way the society is treating you all is also not satisfactory. Now that we have reached a decision and the Supreme court has directed, transgenders to be given their rights. Those who are born in this country are all citizens and should be treated equally.”

Dr Ravi also said, “Those who are above 18 years of age are eligible to cast their vote. This is a historic decision of the Election commission and the Supreme Court. This is a humane act on part of the election commission and you should feel proud that your rights have been recognized. You have rights to live in this society. The government should give you all the facilities and this is the first step towards getting your rights. I really appreciate the initiative by the Parivarthan Charitable Trust  in this direction”.

Founder of Parivarthan Charitable Trust Violet Pereira, Secretary Sanjana, Treasurer Srinidhi, Secretary SVEEP Committee Sudhakar, Bindu and others were also present.