A shelter home especially for the transgender community, who have been neglected by their own families and society, was inaugurated in Kalyan on Sunday, June 6.
The shelter home named Garima Greh is the first one for transgender persons in Maharashtra, of the three, sanctioned so far. The shelter has been set up by the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD).
The first-ever shelter home in Maharashtra with 25 beds facilities was inaugurated with the kind support of the government of Maharashtra and Kinnar Asmita and Non-government organisation working for transgender. The shelter home presently has several residents who came from different cities like Nashik, Ambernath as well as states such as Uttar Pradesh.
Rekha Thakur, the founder of Vaanya foundation and BJP corporator shared a shoulder with Neeta Keni, the president of Kinnar Asmita an NGO to get the paperwork done and started the shelter home. Ganpat Gaikwad, BJP, MLA from Kalyan helped the transgender in getting the space.
Neeta Kene, 43, president of NGO Kinnar Asmita said that this is an attempt to bring the neglected sections of the society into the mainstream of society. There are several transgender who end up either begging or doing sex work. They do it due to the situations they face. There is no one to look after many such people, the shelter will take care of them. Such transgender will be encouraged for education and we will see that they achieve their goals, he added.
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Kene also stated that the centre will also impart education and skills development courses to transgenders. The shelter home will also try to provide them with employment and livelihood.
The shelter home will have learning activities for residents such as candle making, baking, beautician course, paper bag making. The products will then be promoted in the market for sale.
Urmila Kamble, 58, a transgender person from Ambernath, was in search of a shelter after her retirement as a sweeper at Ambernath Municipal Council (AMC). She used to live with her relatives and family members but was not supported by them. The newly opened dedicated shelter home for members of the transgender community at Kalyan’s Dawrli Naka came as a relief to her.
Meanwhile, NGO Vanya Foundation has decided to provide computers to the shelter home and start a training programme for the residents.
According to reports, a total of three shelter homes have been sanctioned, of which the one in Kalyan is inaugurated. Another one in Raigad is yet to be built as the finalisation of the location is underway. It was delayed due to the lockdown. And the one in Goregaon is ready and is expected to be opened soon.
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