India's First University For Transgender People Coming To UP

In a first in India, a university solely for transgender people is all set to open in Uttar Pradesh. The foundation stone for the University was laid down recently in the presence of BJP MP Ramapati Ram Tripathi. This university will be solely for the transgender community and the initiative is being pushed forward by Akhil Bhartiya Kinnar Shiksha Seva Trust (All India Transgender Education Service Trust).

Being built by the Akhil Bhartiya Kinnar Shiksha Seva Trust (All India Transgender Education Service Trust), the university will allow transgender people to study right from class one to PG, allowing them to do research and get a PhD degree.

Key Takeaways:

• A University solely for transgender people is all set to be opened in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar district.
• The University will be the first of its kind in the country.
• The initiative is being pushed forward by the Akhil Bhartiya Kinnar Shiksha Seva Trust (All India Transgender Education Service Trust).
• The University will allow transgender persons to study right from class one to PG and even do research and get PhD degree.

First Of Its Kind In The Country

The University will be first of its kind in the country. Being built up by the Akhil Bhartiya Kinnar Shiksha Seva Trust (All India Transgender Education Service Trust), the University will allow transgender people to study right from class one to PG and even do research and get a PhD degree. "It is the first of its kind in the country where members of the transgender community will be able to get an education, and the process has already been initiated. From January 15 next year, two children who are brought up by the community members will get admission and from February and March, other classes will start," President of the trust Dr. Krishna Mohan Mishra said.

Also Read: Rainbow Wedding: First Transgender Couple Get Married In West Bengal

Education Might Open Up Employment Opportunities Too

When the SNDT Women's University included transgender as a category in its admission form this August, NGO Kinnar Maa Trust started reaching out to individuals to persuade them to take up education. Salma Khan, who is Mumbai’s first transgender to become a member of Mumbai District Suburban Legal Services Authority told The Indian Express that since there is a lack of education when it comes to transgenders, the employment options hence are also limited. “We are hopeful that more colleges will introduce a third gender category to encourage transgenders to study. All they need is a friendly environment,” she says.

“I realised education is the only reason why our community is tortured. My mother would tell me that I would have to beg like other transgenders. But I want to become an IAS officer, to ensure that the government does not discriminate against us,” said Sonalee Pradeep Chaukekar to IE.

Also Read: Akkai Padmashali And Vasu: First Transcouple To Legally Adopt A Child

Recent developments in favour of transgenders also include the appointment of five transgender persons in Odisha's hospital. The Malkangiri district administration has appointed Durga, Sonali, Tushar, Kailash and Hial as security guards at the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in the initial phase. They work at the Labour Room and Pre and Post Mental Care Units of the hospital. According to Orissa Post, a private security company has taken the security tender of the hospital. It is the company that has given an appointment to transgender people as per the instruction of the district administration.