Meet Pushpa Maai, A Changemaker & A Transgender Activist From Rajasthan

Pushpa Maai, the founder of Nai Bhor in Jaipur, is a well-known transgender leader in Rajasthan as well as a member of the Rajasthan Government’s Transgender Welfare Board working for the rights and rehabilitation of transgender in Rajasthan.

#PushpaMaai continuously fights for the rights of the transgender community. Pushpa demanded the Rajasthan government set up a board for the protection of transgenders and for their welfare. After 18 months of effort by Pushpa, the government finally gave a go-ahead for the Rajasthan Transgender Welfare Board in May 2015. #Rajasthan is the fourth state in India to have a welfare community for transgender people. This board works for health, education and employment.

“It’s excellent news for our transgender community,” she remarked, praising the measure. “However, the number of transgender people who complete their education and compete in UPSC-sponsored competitive exams is quite low. If the ministry examines transgender people at lower ranks in the military, such as soldiers, chefs, and so on, a higher number of transgenders will be able to apply and be appointed” says Pushpa.

It is noteworthy that the Rajasthan government has made a provision of a separate column for #transgenderpeople in admission/applications in educational institutions to get higher education and seats have also been reserved for them. The transgender community in #Rajasthan did not have any identity cards of their own. Because of this, they had to face many problems, but now transgender IDs will be created in Rajasthan under ‘Rajasthan Transgender Welfare Board’. But still, there are many challenges to deal with, employment is one of the biggest challenges for the transgender community. She argues that the government must incorporate #transgender people in all programs, whether in education, work, or, as is the case now, in the current situation.

Earlier in April 2021, a shelter home ‘Garima Grah’, for 25 members of the transgender community, was started in Jaipur. It’s an initiative of the central government aiming to rehabilitate and teach skills to the community.

Video by Prachi Saini, Edited by Kapish Kaith