Parivarthan Trust hosts the FIRST Christmas Celebration of the Transgenders Kind!

By
Alfie Dsouza, Team Mangalorean.
-
Spread the love

Parivarthan Trust hosts the FIRST Christmas Celebration of the Transgenders Kind!

Mangaluru: Yes, it was a Unique Christmas Celebration with Unique “Human Beings” called Transgenders for the FIRST time in the History of Mangaluru- or could be the First of its kind in the State or Nation. Christmas is just around the corner. For many, gathering together in our anticipation of the coming of the Christ Child, praying and worshipping 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 colourful lights and twinkling stars- and what not.

The Christmas festival will be 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 the community, sustaining spirit, and loving accompaniment. But for many TRANSGENDERS, 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 alone-ness. 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.

Not anymore..thinking of these Transgenders, and in order to bring joy and smile on their faces, Parivarthan Charitable Trust (PCT), a Ray of Hope for Transgenders, had hosted the FIRST of its kind Christmas Celebrations for the Transgenders, in association with the School of Social Work Roshni Nilaya. This FIRST ever “Christmas Celebration with the Transgenders”, with an aim to show that the Transgenders too are not neglected, and also to show that they have someone who really cares for them, was held on December 2, 2017 at 10:00 am at the Roshni Nilaya School of Social Work Auditorium-Valencia, Mangaluru .

The celebration began with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song by the students of Roshni Nilaya, followed by welcome address by Sachin of Roshni Nilaya. Briefing about the Parivarthan Charitable Trust, the Founder of the Trust Violet Pereira said, “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 are literally requesting the society to provide them with jobs so that they could lead 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 the Karnataka Polytechnic which is also a pride moment for Parivarthan Charitable Trust.” added Ms Pereira.

The “Parivarthan First Christmas Celebration’ programme was inaugurated by chief guest MLA JR Lobo by lighting the traditional lamp along with guests of honor Dr Jacintha D’Souza- Former Principal of Roshini Nilaya; Asha Nayak- Trustee of PCT; William D’Souza- MD of Globe Travels and a well-wisher of Mangalorean.com; Violet Pereira Founder of PCT; and Azmeera Shahzeen- Students Co-ordinator of Roshni Nilaya School of Social Work-Mangaluru. A cake was also cut during the occasion to mark the First Christmas with the Transgenders by all the dignitaries on the dais along with a bevy of transgenders. In his inaugural address, MLA JR Lobo said, “I compliment PCT for coming up with this unique Christmas celebration with the Transgenders. We should know that Christmas is a feast of everyone irrespective of caste or creed, and it is celebrated all over the globe, bringing joy and peace during the blessed season. And also during this Christmas time, we should donate part of our wealth to the needy and less-fortunate, thereby making a difference in their lives”.

“It is a good initiative started by Violet Pereira in forming this Trust, which caters to the needs of the Transgenders and also trying to bring them to the mainstream in the society. As human beings we should not discriminate the Transgenders because they too are human beings just like us- so we should try to include them in our society and make a difference in their lives. In case the Trust needs any help from my side or from the government, I am ready to oblige, and I will do my best to support this Trust so that it can grow and reach to greater heights and also benefit the Transgender community”.

Also addressing the audience Dr Jacintha D’Souza said, “I am glad to see that two alumni of Roshni Nilaya are on the dais- namely Violet Pereira and Asha Nayak. I am very much touched by the respect that the Transgenders are giving to Violet by calling her as “Amma” (mother). Christmas is a time of sharing and giving, so we should all try to give some of our wealth to those who are in need during this holiday season and bring joy in their lives. Certainly Christmas is a time of giving and sharing with those around us, but that sharing is not limited to those that we love and care for. It is also for the person that we have never met and will never see. Those that are not so fortunate in their lives as we are and that could use a helping hand. My compliments to PCT for thinking of the Transgenders and hosting this unique Christmas celebration”.

Other dignitaries on the dais also spoke and encouraged the audience to support the transgenders and treat them equally like human beings. The special guest of the day was the arrival of Santa Claus, impersonated by Vincent Menezes of Kokkada near Puttur, who rode his Scooter into the auditorium and distributed sweets, and also later took selfies. Transgenders namely Sanjana, Srinidhi, and Chandrakala were felicitated on the occasion for the changes in their lives and their achievements. Violet Pereira was also felicitated by Deepak Ganguli -the Md of Pathway Enterprises, the organizers of Lagori Tournament; and was also felicitated by the students of BA, BSW and MSW of Roshni Nilaya. The celebrations also included cultural programme by the Transgenders as well as the students of Roshni Nilaya.

Better late than never as they say, due to their busy schedule, even though they couldn’t make in time for the function, MLA Moideen Bava and Minister Ramanath Rai made a visit to the function and shared their thoughts with the transgenders, and also assured help from their side for the betterment of the Transgenders. Sanjana with her dance performance stole the show and received loud applaud from the audience. Even the dance performances by other transgenders also enthralled the audience, proving that they too can entertain like others. It was indeed one of the BEST CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION OF ALL TIMES- QUITE UNIQUE BY UNIQUE PEOPLE CALLED ‘TRANSGENDERS’.

Click here for Photo Album 1

Click here for Photo Album 2

Also Read Related Articles Below:


Spread the love