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Standing in front of the Pune Municipal Corporation building, Rakesh Gadge, 24, was wearing a hint of lipstick, khaki pants and a shiny new belt emblazoned with the word ‘PMC’.
Recruited by the Special Military Commission this month to perform security duties, Rakesh was one of ten transgender people invited to the office by the municipal commissioner for an official ceremony on Monday. The transgender people started working from 1 July as employees of the private agencies PMC Security works at Kamla Nehru Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Zoo and the main building of the Civil Administration.
“Because of this uniform, people’s perception has changed,” said Rakesh, a Nanapeth resident who is now being deployed as security personnel at Kamla Nehru Hospital. “People look at us with more respect.”
PMC recruited transgender people as security guards at the civilian headquarters. (Quick photo by o Pavan Khangre)
Rakesh’s life has taken many turns. When the family first learns of Rakesh’s identity, they call several doctors and also go for medical treatment. When they finally accept Rakesh for who he is, financial problems begin to arise.
As the only other member to earn money, aside from the rickshaw-driving father, Rakesh dropped out of college while pursuing a vocational degree in construction and technology.
I did two jobs but lost all sources of income during the pandemic. As a transgender person, it is very difficult to get a job as it is,” said Rakesh. “With this job, there will be some financial stability…”
At noon, after waiting two hours and learning that the party was postponed, the group decided to go out for tea because some of them had been on duty since 7 in the morning. Bystanders turned and stared as they exited the building and crossed the street. “On the first day of work, people took about an hour to accept us, but since then, everyone has been so welcoming and warm,” said Rakesh with a smile.
“For a long time, performing in shows was my only source of livelihood, but there is no security in this business,” said 35-year-old Manisha Nikarjee. “If I break my leg, no one will invite me to dance at their events.”
Manisha had worked as a peer educator in HIV education for a few years prior to this, but had to take on performance work at events, when the organization closed. “It’s a high-risk job,” Manisha said. “It won’t happen in this job.”
“We have separate toilets for us at our workplace,” said Manisha.
“My family didn’t accept me when I switched to wearing a sari so I left the house,” said Sanvi Dinkar, who was dressed in an elegant khaki sari. “Now I live with my teacher and I am happy to have this job.”
“I studied at Ferguson College until grade 12 and I hope to continue my studies in the future,” said Saanvi.
Nitin Kengil, Security Officer of Pune Municipal Corporation said, “We have been approached by two organizations that work with the transgender community to ask for jobs. After discussions with them, it was decided that we can hire transgender people on a contractual basis.”
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