Transgender community in Pune celebrate women’s equality day
Akash Dhanurkar
A Pune based transgender community celebrated women equality day in a very distinct style. A first of its kind initiative by a city based social worker, Meghna Zuzum, saw participation of transgenders in a huge number, as they gathered to celebrate a Marathi Shravan festival, ‘Mangalagaur’.
The event was organised by Meghna Zuzum and city based transgender leader, Sonali Dalvi, in association with local NGOs – Lions Club & Bharat Vikas Parishad, Mukund Nagar – to promote equality for the transgender community.
The community gathered in presence of the NGO members and celebrated the occassion by tying a ‘rakhee’ to a tree, citing the importance of the environment carrying a powerful message. The first of its kind initiative attracted a number of transgenders from Pune who expressed their pleasure to the NGOs and the activist.
While talking to Sonali Dalvi, she said, “I am thankful to the organizer for organising such a powerful and amazing initiative. It was a first of its kind in the history and culture of Pune. Similarly, I expect the society to change their mindset towards us. We transgenders can do wonders if given an opportunity. Social activists like Meghna are aiming to bring a change that we as a community are hoping since a very long time. In the traumatic lockdown, our transgender community, especially, was in a bigger mess because of the poverty and overlooking by the society on our daily livelihood when entire city was shut and we were left with neither bread, nor money to survive. However, this event has proved that change is in the air, just that, such events have to be organised to promote acceptance in the society.”
Meghna Zuzum, while talking to Pune Pulse said, “The society should be equal in all the terms. Transgender community has struggled for years and we really do not intend to let them suffer any further. This event brought smiles on the faces of the community that was long ignored from its existence. I have always stressed on the need to organise such events.”
