UDUPI: A transgender in Udupi has not only found means of living by becoming an autorickshaw driver, but has also shown the community that they can lead a fulfilling life on their own terms. Kaveri Mary D’Souza, 37, a resident of Pethri in Cherkadi village of Brahmavar taluk, has been eking out a living by driving an autorickshaw for the past three months. With the support of a donor and obtaining a loan from a bank, D’Souza managed to buy an autorickshaw.
At the age of 15, D’Souza, began to experience a deep sense of being a female and later got in touch with transgender community members in Mysuru and with the help of an NGO, she underwent sex reassignment surgery in Bengaluru.
After serving as an outreach worker for HIV/Aids patients, she also worked in garment industries and other establishments in Bengaluru. Later, after trying her luck in business in Brahmavar, she decided to take up the job of an autorickshaw driver in Pethri town. While she had availed a loan of Rs 1.8 lakh to buy an autorickshaw, the Humanity Trust Belman closed it by repaying the principal amount on Tuesday.
Founder of Humanity Trust Belman, Roshan Belman told TOI that the trust has already cleared the bank loan of D’Souza by paying nearly Rs 1.7 lakh. “We are planning to help D’Souza in realising her 10-year-old dream of building her own house,” Roshan said.
D’Souza said, “I am probably the first transgender autorickshaw driver in the state. Though I learnt to drive long back, I was not able to obtain a licence in the absence of identity proof. I finally got my identity proof and license six months ago. Being a transgender, my goal is to lead a life of self-esteem and become part of the mainstream society,” she added.
Courtesy : TOI
Note: This news piece was originally published in timesofindia.com and used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes exclusively for Human Rights
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