Mysore/Mysuru: Even as most of the transgenders of the city, who eke out a living by begging alms, are facing a lot of difficulties owing to the COVID-19 lockdown, a young lady architect of the city has drawn public attention by donating kits containing 14 essential items to transgenders.

While most transgenders sought alms from the public twice a week — Tuesday and Friday — some others became sex workers for their livelihood. But their trouble began when the Prime Minister called for Janata Curfew on Mar. 22, followed by the announcement of  a nationwide lockdown till Apr.14, as the city came to a standstill with all shops and commercial establishments shut. 

Taking note of the hardships of the transgenders, S.V. Vatsala, a young Architect of B.M. Shri Nagar, launched a social media campaign called ‘Mysuru stands with transgenders,’ with many citizens supporting her initiative. 

She also started an initiative called ‘Nimagallada Jagattu,’ (the world is not for you) which received good response from the citizens, with many of them donating liberally for the cause. 

Vatsala, with her own money and the contributions made by the public, distributed kits containing 14 food items including rice to 80 transgenders.

Each kit contains 5 kg of rice,1kg dal, 500 grams channa, 3kg sugar, 200 grams coffee/tea powder,1kg edible oil, 500 grams  sooji, 500 grams green gram,1 kg salt, 500 grams groundnut, 500 grams of green peas, 500 grams tur dal, 500 grams green dal and 2kg of atta.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Vatsala said that most transgenders are battling for survival as they have no source of income due to the lockdown. 

Noting that transgenders eked out a living either by begging alms or working as sex workers, she said that she thought of coming to their rescue at this difficult times and started  a social media campaign, which received good response, with several citizens donating generously.

She purchased the kits out of the collected funds and distributed them to 80 transgenders, she said and added that at the same time she is advocating the need for maintaining social distancing at this crucial hour in the battle against the deadly Novel Coronavirus.