The position of the transgender community which is often overlooked in a conservative country like ours is set to transform. A trailblazer -- Natasha Biswas, a transgender woman from Kolkata is the first Miss Transqueen, India. The event took place in Gurgaon on Sunday (August 27).
Natasha is currently pursuing Masters in Business Management in Kolkata.
The fashion industry in India has long been leading the way in diversity and inclusion.
The 16 finalists at the pageant were selected from across the states of Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur and Karnataka. It was a rigorous hunt of choosing the one from over 1,500 trans women. This maiden pageant will be a new chapter in the empowerment of the third gender in the country.
The finalists for India's Miss #Transqueen looking lit last night 💅🏳️🌈🇮🇳 @AFP pic.twitter.com/NmhQO4KBZj
— Patrick Galey #BlackLivesMatter (@patrickgaley) August 28, 2017
"The winner will go to Thailand for Miss International Queen, the first runner-up will compete at Miss Transsexual Australia. We are looking for another international pageant so that we can send the second runner-up too," pageant organiser Reena Rai, founder and chairperson of Suhani Dream Catchers Pvt Ltd, told IANS.
As most of #Gurgaon braves Monday traffic and reaches offices here is some #MondayMotivation blast from last night. MissTransQueenIndia pic.twitter.com/YFdJRPRBO0
— gurgaoncom (@gurgaoncom) August 28, 2017
While Natasha clinched the first spot, Loiloi from Manipur bagged the first runner-up position and Ragasya from Chennai became the second runner-up.
To ensure that the community does not face any discrimination, there should be more open talk such as this.
Transgender social activist Gauri Sawant, who was also one of the jury members, feels that the event will be a big motivation for the community. She said: "This is the first organized pageant on a national level for the transwomen after the Nalsa judgement. So, I strongly believe that this is going to empower transsexuals. It would aspire them to dream of winning the crown and representing their country and community on an international platform."
Also Read: Anjali Lama – First Nepali Transgender Model To Debut At The Lakme Fashion Week
Meet Nitasha Biswas, the winner of Miss Transqueen India 2017https://t.co/NaTmS4CNA1 pic.twitter.com/iFyzNxnkBf
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) August 28, 2017
Apart from Gauri Sawant, former Mr Gay India, Sushant Divgikar, fashion stylist Shaine Soni, educator and grooming expert Avleen Khokhar, nutrition and beauty expert Varun Katyal and Hector Ravinder Dutt, Principal of Delhi Public School Rohtak, chaired the judging panel.
Natasha is now gearing up to bring back the same magic on Thailand for Miss International Queen stage.
With many more such initiatives, India soon to become a transgender people-friendly country.
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Feature Image Credit: Instagram/trendiee
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