Patna become the first shelter home for transgender: Bihar

In Bihar's capital, Patna, the first-ever refuge house for transgender people has been established. Aside from serving as a shelter, the building will also serve as a skill training centre. According to reports, the Khagaul shelter home, located in the western portion of Patna, has begun operations with five inmates.

This transgender shelter house was built under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's 'Garima Greh' plan to provide refuge to transgender people and assist them in adjusting to normal society.

Dostana Safar, a Bihar-based NGO, has taken up the effort. The NGO runs the shelter house, which is overseen by the Patna district administration. The centre is named after the 'Garima Griha' plan.

Garima Griha is a three-story structure that can house 25 transsexual people at the same time. They will gain confidence and independence as a result of the skill training programmes. They can select from a variety of occupations for a living with the assistance of these skill training programmes. According to media reports, a distinct skill training block has also been established to provide soft skills.

The transgender community's reactions

Reshma Prasad, secretary of Dostana Safar, stated that five of the 11 transgenders have already been relocated to the shelter home. Nine of the 11 transgender people housed at the institution are transwomen. She stated on Sunday that the refuge is accessible to any transgender people who have been abandoned by their family and do not have a means of income. “We will teach them to be self-sufficient and earn a living rather than begging,” she continued.

Prasad further stated that educational institutions such as Notre Dame Academy and Patna Women's College have assisted in the training of transgender people.

In addition to make-up, dancing, and yoga, they will bring a computer literacy curriculum, language classes, and entrepreneurial skills. "Also, we will begin coaching to prepare transgender persons for enlistment in police forces under the proposed separate police battalion for them," Prasad added.

As per an 18-year-old government job seeker from Phulwarisharif, Patna, a shelter house is a blessing for the transgender community.

Another 24-year-old Muzaffarnagar resident who wishes to join the police force stated that the greatest platform for accomplishing their goal is the shelter house. “I had to leave my family because of societal stigma,” they continued. " I want to make my family proud of me now."