In A First, Transgender Appointed Noon Meal Organiser In Tamil Nadu

Chennai: In a first, a transgender has been appointed as noon meal Organiser at a government school in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvannamalai district.

This is the first job for the 23-year-old Jaya, who is very excited as she was denied job on several occasion in the last four years due to her gender.  

"The salary may be less. But I'm so happy that I've got this opportunity. My friend told me about the job and the Collector A.Gnanasekaran appointed me".

Jaya says that it is lack of opportunity and exploitation that drives the stressed out third gender to resort to begging and flesh trade.

Jaya's father is a mason and mother a home maker. Jaya also has two siblings - a sister and a brother. She claims her family did not accept her due to her gender.

Jaya had enrolled for a bachelor's degree in Arts but could not complete the course due to domestic problems. "I want to finish my degree and use this opportunity as a springboard. For four years I struggled to not get back to begging," she said.  

Collector Gnanasekaran, who presented the appointment order to Jaya, told her: "It's a huge responsibility. It's not just serving food for children but you should also take care of them very well."

The state authorities in the past have also taken measures to uphold rights of sexual minorities. The state was the first to open the college and universities to the third gender. They were also given family cards and identity cards.

Recently, the state police had inducted a transgender as a sub-inspector following a court direction. Many of them have also been recruited as home guards.