'I am not ashamed of being a transgender; I am proud of revealing the fact that I am a transgender" said Transgender activist, actor, artist and icon of the transgender community of India, Kalki Subramaniam at the Harvard University.
Her thought kindling speech on the hardships faced by Transgender people and the change that is needed to uplift their lives, moved the audience who gave a huge round of applause and honored her with a standing ovation.
The honor conferred on Kalki was undeniably a moment of pride for the entire transgender community. Kalki Subramaniam was invited by Harvard University to speak at the 'India Conference 2017' on 11th - 12th February, 2017.
Along with Kalki, eminent speakers from India like Aam Aadmi party Spokesperson Prithvi reddy, Social Worker Meagan Fallone and Actor and Politician Pawan Kalyan were invited to speak at the Harvard. The speakers spoke about their struggles, failures, achievements, and future plans to be the change makers in India.
Ms. Kalki spoke in the 'Inspire' series panel on the first day along with the other speakers of the panel. Kalki Subramaniam's thought provoking and emotional speech kindled the audience and panelists. Kalki also read parts of her poem during her speech. "India is a land of love, a land of diversity'.
Kalki stressed on the point that families of transgenders should accept them as they are. 'Disowning' kids just because they are transgenders is the reason for transgenders begging in streets and involving in flesh trade. 'Acceptance' will create a huge change in their lives, said Kalki.
Kalki citing her own life, said her family accepted as she is and their 'acceptance' has helped her reach great heights. I now feel 'liberated' said Kalki with pride.
Inspired by Kalki's speech Telugu actor and Politician Pawan Kalyan later in his interview to the media said, he has plans to start a separate wing for the transgender people in his political party 'Janasena' of Andhra Pradesh.
A week before the conference, Kalki was also invited to participate and speak at a series of LGBT events in Los Angeles. She spoke at Indian LGBT organization Satrang, among American families of the LGBT people at the United Church of Christ and at a discussion at the LGBT Education Resource Center in the University of California, Los Angeles.
In her 16 days of travel, Kalki visited as many as 5 major cities in the United States - Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Boston and New York.
'"I represented the marginalized voice of transgender people in India and globally and I have to be precise, powerful, moving people to think and take action. I just did that successfully", said Kalki.
The activist and artist has been receiving accolades across the Nation for her kindling speech at the most prestigious University in the world.
India Conference is one of the largest student-run conferences focusing on India in the USA. It is hosted at the Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School in Boston by the graduate students of Harvard University. The conference hosted eminent speakers from India to engage in a conversation about India’s path towards global leadership. The conference was held on February 11th and 12th.
Click this link for Kalki Subramaniam's speech at Harvard University:
https://youtu.be/KdL-8nW3Y2k