A Historic Recognition: Transgender Community Members from UP Honored on Republic Day
In a significant step towards inclusion and recognition, four transgender persons associated with the Garima Grih shelter home in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, have been invited as special guests for the Republic Day ceremony in Delhi. This invitation marks a momentous occasion for the transgender community, symbolizing growing acceptance and acknowledgment of their contributions to society.
The Journey to Recognition
Ekta Maheshwari, Deepika, Heer, and Ladoo have been receiving numerous congratulatory calls from friends and well-wishers after learning about their selection. These four individuals will travel to the national capital on January 24, joining 10,000 special guests from various walks of life who are being honored for their role in nation-building.
The selection process was thorough and official. According to District Magistrate Deepak Meena, the four from Garima Grih were chosen as representatives of their community. The initiative is part of the broader PM SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) scheme, which aims to rehabilitate and empower marginalized groups, including transgender persons and those who have given up begging.
Profiles of the Honored Guests
Ekta Maheshwari, 39, serves as the director of Garima Grih, a shelter home funded by the central government. The home's primary mission, as outlined on the National Portal For Transgender Persons, is to provide shelter, food, medical care, and recreational facilities to destitute and abandoned transgender individuals. Additionally, it focuses on capacity-building and skill development programs.
Reflecting on the selection process, Ekta shared, "After we sent the nominations, police verification was conducted by the Home Ministry. The final selection was then made of the four of us." The confirmation came from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which had initially reached out to Garima Grih for nominations about a month ago.
Ekta's personal journey is one of resilience. She left her hometown in Lakhimpur Kheri in her early twenties to pursue studies and training as a photographer, severing ties with her family. In 2011, she founded the Ekta Sewa Sansthan, an organization dedicated to empowering transgender persons based on their abilities and qualities.
Heer, a 20-year-old make-up artist, is saving money to pursue her dream career in law, with aspirations to represent her community in the judiciary one day. She also conducts awareness and counseling programs for transgender individuals. Ladoo works with the Kalyan Sathi initiative of the Social Welfare Department, assisting in the implementation of welfare schemes, while Deepika, 32, from Deoria, works as a make-up artist in Noida.
The Struggle for Acceptance
Despite their achievements, all four share a common regret: the lack of acceptance from their families. Ekta expressed, "We all wish that someone from our family had called and said we are proud of you." Heer added, "I left my family in Kushinagar two years ago. In villages, the situation for transgender persons is even worse than for women. Families feel ashamed to accept us, so I left. I want to make something of myself and become an example for the entire society."
Ekta highlighted the persistent stereotypes, noting, "Acceptance has increased in the city but in villages, where we come from, there is only image of a transgender in the minds of people — 'tali bajane wale, red light pe khade hue' (those who clap loudly standing at traffic signals)." After years of facing struggles within their families, society, and even their own community, this invitation represents a ray of recognition and hope for a more inclusive future.
A Broader Celebration of Contributions
The Republic Day ceremony will honor a diverse group of 10,000 special guests, including:
- Transgender persons and beggars rehabilitated under the PM SMILE scheme.
- Winners of the World Athletic Para Championship.
- Farmers practicing natural farming.
This initiative underscores the government's commitment to recognizing and celebrating the contributions of individuals from all segments of society to the nation's progress. For the transgender community in Uttar Pradesh and beyond, this moment serves as a powerful symbol of visibility and respect, paving the way for greater equality and acceptance in the years to come.
