For Anu, her lease of life has been paved with hardships
She will be on probation for two years and her pay scale will be Rs4,500 to Rs7,275.
Life has been a rough ride for Anu, a 27-year-old transgender. Anu sees her appointment as an employee in Group ‘D’ category in the high court as a new beginning. She will be on probation for two years and she will take home a pay package of ` 4,500 to ` 7,275 per month.
How Lokesh became AnuAnu’s earlier avatar, Lokesh, was born 28 years ago in New Geddalahalli. Lokesh lost his father, Chennappa, a painter, when he was 11 years old.His mother Jayamma works in an incense factory. At 12, Lokesh became aware of his feminine side.Due to financial constraints, he and his elder brother had to drop out of school to support the family. Lokesh then started working as a saree salesperson. Here, he met transgender whom he could relate to. His brother was shocked due to this and tortured him. A troubled Lokesh decided to leave for Mumbai. He did not inform anybody and his mother even registered a complaint in the police station when he went missing.
In Mumbai, he stayed in Malad with other transgenders. For a year, he was begging.
New beginningLater, Lokesh underwent a sex-change operation and got a new sexual identity. At 16, Lokesh was rechristened Anu, and she returned with her guru (the elder transgender) to Bangalore.Anu worked with an NGO at Sampangiramnagar branch of Samara for five years. Once she returned to Bangalore, she got in touch with her mother and sent her a photograph.
Anu’s mother came to meet her in Nelamangala, where she was living with other transgenders. Her mother accepted her and consoled Anu. However, she still couldn’t visit her home. Finally, last year Anu visited her family and fought for her right to stay there. Now, she leads a content life with her mother. Even her elder brother, who is married and stays separately, has accepted Anu’s sexuality. She recently completed a three-month beautician course and hopes to complete her education too.
The idea of identifying sexual minorities and giving them a job is the brainchild of Justice Altamas Kabir and Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen, said registrar general P Krishna Bhat. He said:
“Transgenders need to be given more opportunities and training in various sectors like the garment rather than being pushed into activities like begging.”