“What do you feel when you see a transgender person?” the speaker throws a question at a student picked from the audience.
The silence filling the auditorium speaks volumes.
December’s Happiness Unlimited session opened candid conversations on the everyday realities of transgender individuals and the inspiring message of resilience they offer.
The Professor of Wisdom who joined us for the morning session to shed light on this rarely-discussed topic is Shri. Tasleema Nasreen.
Know more about her here:
Strength in the face of struggle:
As the only ‘different’ one among seven siblings, she was just 12 when she ran away from her well-off home which had nothing to offer her but cruelty and violence. The world outside was no kinder, which left her begging in the streets of Dharavi. It was years before she escaped the horrors of the red-light area and returned south. But getting a fresh lease of life didn’t mean life got any easier.
“It was just me and the walls. I became friends with my mirror. I only had the mirror to share my feelings with.”
And yet, she built her life from the ground up: pretending to be a man to get employed, washing vessels at hotels, and saving her meager salary to start an idli cart.
“Ma’am, what was your proudest moment?”, asks a student.
“When I sold idlis for ₹37 for the first time… I was not anyone’s employee. I was a proud business owner. I started dreaming big.”
Roped in by NGOs, she started caring and cooking for destitute patients at the Coimbatore Government Hospital. There, her talents shone out. She started her award-winning catering business, now popular across the south for its biriyanis. Today, she owns a hotel chain and other business ventures.
“What made you want to change your life, ma’am? Where did you get the strength?”- a question from the last row.
“You know what the most addicting drug is? Knowing you are a good person and being acknowledged for your good deeds. I wanted to be a good person.”
Shri Tasleema is not just a successful entrepreneur, but also a celebrated philanthropist. She supports the elderly, destitute patients, and members of the trans community.
“Did you see your parents again, ma’am?” – another question from the audience.
“My mother is no more. Now I take care of my father and my nieces. I have adopted two children and they are doing their higher studies.”
Messages from Shri Tasleema
Top takeaways from the session:
- “Be thankful for that phone number you look for when in trouble. Having supportive friends and family is the biggest blessing. Value them. Listen to them.”
- “Let the day be day and the night be night. Reduce your mobile time. Get enough sleep. A fresh mind will take you places.”
- “When you are a nobody, you listen to everyone. Once you win, everyone listens to you.”
And on doing your part for the trans-community:
- “Don’t fear them. But remember, our actions are part of the problem.”
- “Don’t give alms. Many are addicted to laziness. Contribute in other ways- offer material assistance or help them find employment.”
- “The best thing you can do for a trans-person on the street? Tell them, “Your life will get better.””
