Leaving No One Behind: India's First National Conclave Of Transgenders Held In New Delhi

With an aim to build a more inclusive society where transgenders find equal opportunities and are not discriminated against, India celebrated its first National Conclave of Transgenders on December 15 in New Delhi. The efforts of the people from the transgender community who have been working towards the mainstreaming of the community were recognized and awarded.

The day-long conclave witnessed leading voices from the transgender community like Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, Transgender Rights and Activist, Dr Ashma Begum, Chairperson of World Women Organization, Zainab Patel, Director inclusion and diversity, KPMG in India, Member of National Council for Transgender Persons and Aryan Pasha, India's first trans bodybuilder, among others.

The event was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by the guests and a welcome dance. The event will be organised every year now in order to provide a platform to all stakeholders be it from the community, government, civil society or corporate world to participate and engage on issues faced by the community and constructive ways to mitigate the challenges.
The event will be organised every year now in order to provide a platform to all stakeholders be it from the community, government, civil society or corporate world to participate and engage on issues faced by the community and constructive ways to mitigate the challenges.
Mahi, a member of the transgender community performed a Kathak through which she communicated how important is the inclusion and integration of the transgender community in the society.

While addressing the event, Ravi S. Pani, Advocate emphasised that society needs to learn how important it is that no one is left behind in the development process. He discussed about the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and highlighted some loopholes. He said that the Act does not talk about the legal rights of inheritance of the transgenders and is also on the choice of religion for the people belonging to the transgender community. He added that the Act has failed to include matters of importance for the sustenance of transgender people like education and health.
Expressing the beauty of celebrating festivals together without discrimination, a group of trans artists called Vaishnavi Kala Manch gave a soulful dance performance.
Sonal Kaushik, Artist and Social Worker presented a painting to Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, Transgender Rights and Activist during the event as a tribute to her contribution to the fight against discrimination and for the rights of the transgender community

Individuals and organisations working with the community and achievers from within the community were awarded for their work and their exceptional stories were given the recognition they deserve. For this year, the awards had four main categories - Lifetime Achievement Award, Organisation Awards, Path Breakers and Vidhya Award, where awardees from their respective field of work were awarded by the jury members.
Anand Grover, Lawyer & Legal Activist For Homosexuality and HIV and Ashok Row Kavi Journalist & LGBT Rights Activist received the Lifetime Achievement Award for their contribution towards the fight for equality for the transgender community.
Abhina Aher, Transgender Activist was recognised for her continuous work for transgender empowerment. Her mother and senior dancer and actor Mangala Aher was also recognised for her efforts for the betterment of the transgender community.

Among the achievers and path-breakers were also Sadhana Mishra, Transgender Activist and Meera Parida, Transgender Activist.
The conclave came to an end with a mesmerising fashion show conducted by trans models who showcased the work of Rosy Ahluwalia, Fashion Designer and founder of Dikha Khadi.