With this true story, an insight on the life of one amongst them, you would know and understand why it is important for us to bring this change.... Every Bit A Son In His Duty And Every Bit A Daughter In Her Emotion....Hasina: The Forbidden Child... Why am I writing this? There are many stories written on the bizarre state of Transgender; commonly referred to as ‘Hijras’ in our country. Though the Supreme Court’s recent landmark ruling, acknowledging the existence of transgender as the official third gender, is expected to provide some respite; it remains to be seen what good the law actually does on the living front for the community. While some critics are busy weighing the benefit of this judgment vis-a-vis Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that curbs the community’s sexual freedom, let’s just dare to look into the life of one among them- Hasina: The forbidden child. Hasina, holds a distinction in M.A. Economics from the renowned Nagarjuna University, Andhra Pradesh. She has also taught the subject for about three years in the same college from where she graduated. Please don’t get me wrong when you read this. No, she was not born in a rich household that could pamper her needs. She was born in a poor family from Andhra, where her father took to drinking and her mother was the sole breadwinner for the family. Though her mother’s physical condition did not allow her to work, the lady had some mettle. She got her two daughters, who were elder to Hasina married off and enrolled her youngest son for engineering. Hasina was the only worry of her soul, as she knew that the child would be an orphan, if she were to die. Life was not easy for Hasina; the third child and the first boy in the family. During her early childhood years, Hasina would love to dress up as a girl. Everyone in her family, including her father and her other relatives would beat her up for this. This was completely unheard of in their community and they feared that the family would be treated like an outcast. Hasina as a boy back then, was perplexed and her only unanswered question would be “Why me?” As she grew up and her body started showing signs, it was very difficult for Hasina to comprehend what was going wrong. She would cry in despair, and her ignorance led her to think that she was the only one with this abnormality in the whole world. Her mother was the sole anchor in this tumultuous phase of her life and she stood rock-solid by Hasina. Knowing very well her daughter’s penchant for studies, Hasina’s mother prompted her to enrol for graduation. By this time, Hasina had met other people like her and would interact with them regularly to know more about their forbidden community. Along with her graduation, Hasina would work part-time in an NGO working for HIV awareness; explaining the use of contraceptives to prevent the disease. She was mocked upon by her peers and molested by fellow boys from her own village. But all this could not dissuade her from completing her studies. Meanwhile, her poverty-stricken family was on the verge of financial breakdown. Paying heed to the advice of a fellow from her community, Hasina finally took the train to Mumbai. Mumbai though was big enough to shelter her; it could not feed her by offering any respectable job despite being qualified. Forced to beg, Hasina slowly became a commercial sex worker solely to fund her family’s needs. Begging throughout the day and falling prey to the lust of vile humans by night, had become the norm for her. Flash round-ups by cops would often force her to run into the nearby jungle, to save her from falling prey to their harassment. Most times her bruised skin, sprained ankle and even more important - the ruthless scars on her mind and soul, left her shattered but earned her money to feed her family. Hasina longed to be with her mother. Realizing that the middlemen in the trade partook a hefty chunk of her earnings, leaving only a measly amount for her; Hasina decided to go back to her village once and for all. With her meager earnings, she supported her mother in getting her second sister married off and got their small house renovated. On returning, as per her mother’s wish she also secured admission for her post-graduation; but as fate would have it her ailing mother takes to bed. With no one to fund her mother’s ailment, Hasina is forced to come back to Mumbai, leaving her semester studies mid-way. Hasina returns to take care of her mother’s hospital expenses, with the help of some borrowings; in addition to her own earnings. By now, having experienced the worst in life, she vows never to go back to Mumbai and stay forever with the only person in her life, who loved her truly- her Mother. She finally completed her post-graduation in 2011 against all odds and was offered the post of a lecturer in her own college. When asked whether her students respected her? her candid reply is worth a mention - “ Students are innocent Madam; they don’t judge and respect teachers by their looks. Any teacher who teaches them well is respectable enough; but the one who fails to do so will never be.....no matter how hard they try.” Two years later, her mother passed away and took along with her Hasina’s reason to live as well. After a failed suicide attempt, Hasina today works with an NGO that works for rehabilitating commercial sex workers. She lives today only to fulfill her promise to her mother that she would take care of her family. To this day she does it without any expectations. Her own siblings look up to her only for financial assistance, while she aches every day for her mother’s love. In the words of Hasina, “After my mother, I don’t have anyone in this world today to ask me - Did I eat? Did i sleep well? How am I living? I don’t even know the purpose of my life. All I dream today is to start my own orphanage in the name of my mother; where I can take care of other abandoned kids and senior citizens, who don’t have anyone to look after them...I pray, that soon I find a family in them; who will love me for What I am and not for What I should be.” P.S : - Hasina is looking for a job as her current salary is barely sufficient to maintain life. A group of youngsters have formed a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TheForbiddenGender) and is working towards finding a job for Hasina and many others from this community; who aspire to live with dignity just like any other average human being. A gradual change is happening on this front. The appointment of Dr. Manabi Bandopadhyay as the first transgender college principal is a welcome move in this direction. Hope better days shall dawn on Hasina and her likes soon!!