Anshul Gupta, General Manager, Northeast Frontier Railway inaugurated the all transgender tea stall at Guwahati Railway Station. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The Guwahati railway station has become the first station on the Indian Railways to have a tea stall exclusively run by transgender people.
The stall, set up in collaboration with the All Assam Transgender Association, was inaugurated by Anshul Gupta, General Manager, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) on March 10.
“This is the first such initiative by any central government organization and our first step towards empowering the transgender community by providing them livelihood options,” said Mr. Gupta.
Swati Bidhan Baruah, Vice President of the Association, appreciated the initiative of NFR as the responsibility of the society for the welfare of the transgender community and the need for them to be financially secure.
Ms. Baruah said that there are about 5,500 transgender people in Assam, but the number would be much more if a proper survey is done.
“Transgender people often face harassment and don’t always get jobs. Thus they are forced to beg in trains, railway stations and other public places while enduring the humiliation. NFR has taken the initiative to honor him.
NFR spokesperson Sabyasachi Dey said more such stalls would be opened at other railway stations within the zone. The initiative is under a central scheme for comprehensive rehabilitation and welfare of transgender persons.