Transgender felicitated with Karnataka Rajyotsava Award

Akkai Padmashali has been awarded the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award by the state government. This is the first time that a transgender has been bestowed this award.

Born Jagadish, and today known as Akkai Padmashali, she has been fighting for LGBT rights and the acceptance of her community. The Karnataka government gave the award in recognition of her work.

According to a report in The Better India, Akkai faced sexual violence and even became a sex worker before she decided to work on transforming the lives of sexual minorities. She worked with a local NGO called Sangama before setting up Ondede (convergence), an organisation to create awareness about sexuality, sexual diversity and the right to choose one’s sexual orientation. 

About conferring Akkai with the award, Umashree, the state's Kannada and Culture minister, told NDTV, “This is the first year I think in India we have given the award for transgenders who are fighting to come into the mainstream and lead a good life.”

Also watch: A Transgender for Change