From saree to guard uniform- Malkangiri Kinnars transforms their lives

Transgenders in Malkangiri were employed as a security guard in a district headquarters hospital. This endeavour of the district administration has come as a ray of hope for these Kinnars who had to live with a social stigma.

Malkingiri: Sound of claps and jingling of their bangles with it often gets lost amidst the noise of discrimination in the society. Transgenders or Kinnars struggle to exist as 'normals' every day. They witness stares, mockery and pointing of fingers along with humiliation. Defying stereotypes, Kinnars of Odisha's Malkinigiri district are establishing a new definition for their community. Their usual saree is replaced with a new attire- uniform of a security guard.

Kinnars who were once mistreated are now guards of a hospital.District welfare department has been providing training of security guards to Kinnars at the district police office. Five of them were employed at District Headquarters Hospital to work as security guards.

Besides guarding the main gate of a seven-storey building, they provide security in the lifts. They also guard the emergency sections like the labour room and operation theatres. They are provided with a salary of ₹6,000 per month.

This endeavour of the district administration has come as a ray of hope for these Kinnars who had to live with a social stigma.