Legal News: Transgenders with law students signaling road safety measures in Delhi

Transgenders with law students signaling road safety measures in Delhi

Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) has come up with a unique initiative, giving wings to the transgenders and inspiring the Delhi commuters. The effort is to collaborate the role of transgenders in imparting awareness about the road safety measures to the public.

Mr. Dharmesh Sharma, the Member Secretary of DSLSA stated that a dress rehearsal would commence on 23^rd of October at Baba Kharag Singh Marg. The 26 transgenders, associated with a Noida- based NGO named “Basera” and 150 volunteers (the law students), hook up with the Delhi Traffic Police to dole out lessons on road safety to motorists in various districts, conventionally from October 25.

The task will be performed by the teams on some selected days and the timings would be from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. A two-day training at the Traffic Training Park on Baba Kharag Singh Marg was experienced by the volunteers. As a part of this three-month pilot project, they will divulge the road safety lessons on 5^th, 12^th, 19^th and 26^th of November.

The philanthropists would also demand rickshaw-pullers and e-rickshaw drivers at metro and railway stations not to hinder the movement of passengers and park their vehicles properly.

The Secretary member uttered that the primary motive behind this is to assimilate the transgenders in the mainstream.

Ram Kali, the head of ‘Basera’ asserted that this collaboration has given them hope, since, most of the transgenders, allied with the initiative, either beg at traffic signals or are sex workers. Feeling proud, he added that Rs.1000 per day is offered to them for the labor.

The head also cited an instance where a person praised their attempt, stating that generally he saw transgender community begging at traffic signals, but it’s inspirational for him to see them as traffic volunteers.

A transgender, who was engaged as a sex worker, mentioned no apprehension about the profession.  However, appealed by the initiative and effective counselling, she no longer works as a courtesan.