It's a boy baby...in jubilation the affluent couple christened their seventh child as 'Prem' back in 1976. Should say, Prem received all that he wanted only in 'abundance'. Being the youngest of all he was celebrated by his parents who splurged money for their little prince. At the age of five, toy cars, cricket bats and action heros' failed to entice Prem, rather Prem was allured by the powerful eyes of Silk Smitha, a glamorous actress of those days. Though unusual for a kid of his age, he adorned Silk's make-up and her flamboyance. Since then, Prem wanted to beautify himself with Kajals and colourful gowns like 'Silk' did.
Prem's anomalous tastes was reckoned to be 'fun & naughty'. As years rolled on, Prem's interest on all girly accessories doubled up seeding 'cryptic' thoughts in his parents mind . His parents markedly understood that it was more a matter of 'fun and naughty'. Wasting no time his parents were sensible enough to arrange for a counselling session to weed away all girly behaviours from him and medically evaluate their lovable son.
Prem, expounded his feelings to his parents hoping they would understand every bit of his feelings and accept him as he is. But, to the contrary Prem was lashed by his parents which scared him the most. Slowly, he withered from his family and started moving to places in search of people with 'similar' interests.
Upon knowing their son's irretrievable state, his parents were destroyed. But nothing could stop him from his make up, glittering dresses, floral decorations, while his parents shed tears and vented anger in all forms. Meanwhile, adolescent Prem was enjoying the transformation every bit.
Prem was 15 then, a day his parents chucked him out their home and hearts suspecting him to have involved in flesh trade. Prem stood barren in the roads of RS Puram, Coimbatore starring at his plush home where he grew up with his siblings. Though bewildered with future, Prem boldly re-christened himself to 'Prema' and walked along the platforms of Coimbatore Railway Station with a ticket to Mumbai.
As he landed in Mumbai, Prema found her mates very soon in the busy city. She shared their shelters and their trade, predominantly begging or threatening people for money. She begged in the streets of Mumbai to earn 30 rupees a day. Pushed into flesh trade, Prema had no choice to feed her hungry stomach. Her conscious was knitted with loads of unpleasant things. Unable to handle her guilt, Prema re-visited the days she lived with her family in Coimbatore, every second she let herself into flesh trade and begging.
'I was kicked like a football from one place to another without a goal. After more than a brief time in North India, I craved to set my foot back to my birth place, Coimbatore to start a dignified living' says sobbing Prema who hates to recall her past.
'As the train got closer to Coimbatore, my eyes was soaked with water and my heart craving to meet my parents and siblings, give them a tight hug and cry aloud. At the same time, I know they wouldn't feel the same from me. I decided not to meet them and make them feel embarrassed and re-call the past.
I met of one of my farther relatives in Ukkadam who offered me a job in their kitchens which was day long busy into catering food for marriages and occasions. At the end of the day, it was 'no pay, no guilt, no makeup, no glitters, no niggling body language'. I thoroughly focused in learning the trade of cooking and the finer techniques of running the show.
Shortly from there along with five other people 'Prema' started her own catering business. From a beggar to a small scale entrepreneur, Prema started to source orders and kept her kitchens as busy as she could. More than earnings, Prema realised 'content' and the real joy of accomplishment. With catering services and home deliveries spreading like wild mushrooms, Prema's earnings these days aren't that easy but she manages quiet confidently by getting persistent small orders and manages to make a living out of it. These days Prema is also busy acting in movies, her present assignment is 'Chandrika', a feature film on the 'Journey of Transgenders'.
After a long intriguing flash back, Prema says that's all done and dusted. I have something to say to the people, 'I thank the people who supported me and accepted me as I am. I plead the people not to google us and arrive at your conclusions. To be born as a transgender is pain, no one would ever wish to be born as transgenders. It's nature call. No words could ever explain the pain every transgender undergoes.
We are like worms to the eyes of the people. They feel annoyed to see us but when are they going to recognise us as a gender. Family members disowning their own children and the society ill-treating us are the sole reasons for transgenders forcing themselves into flesh trade and begging. Do not see us as rotten stuff, we have had enough in our lives. If people treat them properly and provide them with an opportunity t create their own living. Am sure, there will no transgenders who would beg for their meal.
The Government though has announced several schemes for the upliftment of our community, more focus should be laid on creating job opportunities for the transgenders. The free land and homes for the transgender community is still under stagnation at many places. Unable to stay in rental homes, most of them sleep on the platforms and streets. The officials should help us to get access to those schemes, on a timely manner.
'Whatever gender you are, living a dignified life should be the foremost priority, I believe and preach the same. Soon, you see this Prema as a taxi driver bustling around the streets of Coimbatore, the place I was born, the 'gyan' place that kindled realisation. A very emotional Prema signs off showing subtle smile lines, filled with hope that someday people could change and bring a change to the transgender community.