Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Saturday that more transgender people should be able to receive government benefits and that it should be made sure that advancements benefit all societal classes.
Although the word “transgender” has only recently come into use, transgender people are mentioned in the oldest known historical sources. This group is mentioned in Indian texts and legends, such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Both the community and its demands are diverse.
A number of measures have been put in place by the PM Modi-led administration at the Center to meet the requirements of the transgender population and integrate them into society. These policies include rights protection, skill development, housing, work opportunities, education, and identity recognition.
Many steps have been taken to increase the sense of inclusion for the transgender community, such as the introduction of a third gender column in the Railways reservation form and the awarding of Padma awards to transgender individuals such as Dr. Aqsa Shaikh, Vihaan Peethambar, and transwoman Narthaki Nataraj.
The Prime Minister spoke with Chandigarh resident Mona, a transgender person, on Saturday while meeting the recipients of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra (VBSY). VBSY recipient Mona told news agency ANI, “After speaking with the Prime Minister, I felt happy.” Three years ago, the government gave me a loan of Rs 10,000 to establish my tea store. I subsequently received loans for Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000. He was pleased with my job. I express my gratitude to the Prime Minister.”
“It is good to see that our Prime Minister has interacted with a transgender person and inquired about their future life and employment,” Nagpur transgender person Tanushree remarked. It is rather encouraging to see that the government is now considering the transgender population and the issues they confront, such as those related to marriage and daily living.
RESIDENT DECISIONS
The goal of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, which was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2019, is to lessen mistreatment and prejudice against the trans population.
The Act’s provisions grant transgender people the right to their identity and prohibit discrimination against them in the workplace, in educational institutions, and in the provision of healthcare services.
To review new policies about trans individuals and solve their problems, the National Council for Transgender People was established in 2020.
India has made progress in various areas to improve the lives of transgender individuals on the legal front.
Achievement
To lower dropout rates, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment offers scholarships to transgender students enrolled in Classes 9 and higher for the duration of their post-graduation studies.
Transgender kids are recognized as socio-economically disadvantaged groups (SEDGs) under the National Education Policy 2020, which also guarantees them a high-quality, equitable education.
In 2020, the National Portal for Transgender Persons was introduced, providing transgender individuals with an officially acknowledged identity card and proof of identity.
In 2022, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the SMILE plan, which stands for Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise.
