Vicks Ad's Mother Gauri Sawant Redefines What It Means to be a Transgender Mom

Gauri Sawant born Ganesh Sawant adopted her daughter even though it is illegal for transgender people to adopt children. “There's no gender in being a mother,” she says. Sawant, left her family at an early age to come to Bombay. While working at a NGO, Gauri came across her daughter, Gayatri. Gayatri had been orphaned in 2001, when her mother who was a sex worker, died of HIV.

Theres no gender in being a mother

The child’s grandmother was going to sell her into slavery when Gauri met her. She decided to adopt her, and since then the two have shared a very close mother daughter bond. Gayatri is now studying to be a doctor and lives in a hostel.

Gauri’s inspiring story came to the forefront when Vicks portrayed her journey with Gayatri in an ad which has since its release been watched more than 9 million times.

Gauri is full of life, confident and above all very loving.

We went to Gauri’s house to talk to her about her journey and what it is like being Gayatri’s mother. Gauri is full of life, confident and above all very loving.

She has formed an NGO called Sakhi Char Chowghi Trust which promotes safe sex and provides counselling to transgender people from Mumbai. Her house is full of colleagues who adore her, and whom she has made feel safe.

Also Read: Ad Showing True Story Of Transgender Mom & Daughter Is A Big Hit