Reshma Prasad
Birthplace:
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Residence:
Patna, Bihar
Qualification:
Ph.D. in Sociology and Fellowship of CCRT Delhi
Inspiration:
Self
BREAKING THE STEREOTYPES
From overcoming challenges and hurdles thrown by the society, the grace and determination with which she has overcome them is truly commendable. Her go-getter attitude and bold demeanour has made her a pioneer in her activism for promoting the need of education. She is the first person to receive the Fellowship of CCRT Delhi.
Born in 1991 in a traditional family, she deemed her childhood to be quite ordinary. She did not find anything different about her behaviour. Although she had an affinity to dress up as a female and develop friendships with females in her school, she still did not think it would later be termed ‘not normal’. Always a topper in her class, she was encouraged to excel in school and her behaviour was slightly ignored by her teachers and parents alike. “It generally happens, a few misgivings of good students are ignored. Ultimately being a topper helped me gain respect of my family, friends and school. People began to realise I was worth something and that felt good.” This streak continued till her college days and for a long time she did not face any discrimination and rejection. During her late teenage years, she began to feel the need to seek answers for her ‘abnormality’. And thereon began her journey to awakening, awareness and solutions.
Activism and accolades…
In 2010, she took a courageous step and came out to her family. “The reaction was extreme. They practically disowned me after this incident. No one was willing to understand my point of view and take the effort to know what I was going through. I failed to make them understand my struggles and confusion and their outright disapproval was gut-wrenching,” she remembers sadly. Coming out openly gave her the much needed push to steer herself in the direction of demanding change for herself and the community at large. She started participating in several welfare programmes focusing on the upliftment of the LGBTQIA+ community. “In these meetings and forums, I had the opportunity to interact with other members of the community. I felt a strong sense of belonging. I felt stronger and much more motivated to strive for addressing the concerns and challenges faced by the transgender community.”
What she calls the ‘nail in the coffin’ was the meeting she attended in 2014. “To my utter shock I faced discrimination and derogratory behaviour at the meeting to figure out ways to bring about radical change in the way society treats every marginalised community. It was not at all acceptable from the so-called dignitaries… It fuelled me to do something for the community I felt belonged to. This disrespect and harassment could no longer go on… I was sure of that!” From that point onwards, there was no looking back for Reshma.
Her agenda was breaking the stereotypes for her community. “People believe we only beg and bless… Why are we not considered good enough for more than that? We too can be doctors, lawyers and administrative officers, like everyone else”, she emphasises. “People seek our blessings and then disrespect us right after that! Many times, clothes, food and other kinds of donations happen but respect goes for a toss. The donors don’t even talk to us properly or visit our shelter houses while they donate! What is the point then of offering help when you can’t even show the basic courtesy to talk to us politely.” Her activism has paved the way for the future generation to adopt these philosophies. She works aggressively to educate the society to understand the challenges that come with the confusion around gender identity. She currently has around 70 transgender people associated with her organisation, consisting of several teachers, a doctor, lawyer and banker each.
The need for a change…
She is a part of the Bihar State Kinner Kalyan Board and a member of Niti Aayog’s LGBT Community panel. She is an expert member of the The National Council for Transgender Persons (NCTP), an initiative of the government of India. She believes education and imparting awareness is the need of the hour to achieve the goal of respect and dignity of the transgender community. “It is the time to work in full force to bring about radical change now. Sitting back is not an option anymore.”
Reshma believes that educating people about the pronouns associated with gender dysmorphia, the process of transition and the several other aspects related to this domain give a direction towards a gender-inclusive society. She believes education to be the key, education for society the first and then the community too. She took the opportunity on the event of Bihar Diwas to educate the issues faced by the local transgender community, and it turned out to be a huge success with more than 25,000 people visiting the stall. “Many visiting administrative officers agreed to the pressing need of a dedicated action. The success there helped me demand positive policy changes that will help in future,” she remembers proudly.
VISION FOR THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY
She tells the entire community that “… we are as capable as the rest of the society and our dreams matter. We need to take our destiny in our own hands and strive for our success like there is no tomorrow.” Reshma wants the community, especially the senior people to guide the younger ones in education and also in educating the mainstream society as well. “Because it is us who need the change, we need to start awareness and education programmes. Sometimes people do not know who we are and are afraid to ask the wrong questions in the fear of offending us. We can educate them regarding the correct pronouns, etc.”
MESSAGE FOR THE MAINSTREAM SOCIETY
She has a strong message for the parents of the transgender children. “It is your responsibility to look out for your children and fight for them when they need you the most. We are as much a part of the society as everyone else and have the same right to respect, dignity and opportunities. As parents, please protect and educate your children at all costs.” Awareness needs to be initiated at the grassroot level, especially in the rural sectors of the country. “Government should ensure concrete steps to bring about change, starting from the grassroot levels and then moving upwards. People in the rural sector need to be made aware about the transgender community and the challenges faced by them, only then can we hope to acheive the gender inclusive society.”
FIVE FACTS ABOUT RESHMA
Fighting for the rights of the community gives her strength.
She loves to cook and especially enjoys fried food.
The first movie she watched was Dostana, the inspiration behind the name of her organisation, Dostana Safar, which she established in 2012.
Memories of her family weaken her at times.
She got 51 posts reserved for transgender people in Bihar Police appointments.
