Transgender - Aravani

I was sitting in Kovai express travelling from Coimbatore to Chennai along with my college friends. Suddenly there was a gang of transgenders approaching our compartment. My friend who asserted himself as been-there-before guy asked everybody to keep any currency or wallet in safe place. The group was begging for money. If that was not working, they started to harass people. Thanks to our thiruttu muli, they understood clearly that we were an easy prey. They collected themselves to target our group. One of my friend who sat first and didn't heed to the expert's advice lost his money in the pocket. Happy that their first attempt fetched them what they wanted, they left us.

Strangely the experience made me empathetic towards their plight. After all what could they do. No one would give them proper work. They are left with only 2 options - prostitution, begging. No wonder they have high percentages of HIV postives among them.

In March, TamilNadu became the first state in india to officially recognize transgenders as a seperate sex. Transgenders can avail ration cards now. Tamil Nadu AIDS Initiative-Voluntary Health Services played a major part in this move. Let me also give the leader his due. Take a bow Mr.Karunanidhi. You did a great job. Though not a case for euphoria, the news would surely bring smiles to their faces. I also heard that in a new Jeeva-starring movie, they are going to show aravani in positive manner.

Clearly times are changing that too for good.

Wimbeldon 2001

If anyone wants to learn how to be a good winner or a good loser, please watch this video. A definite watch for guys like bhajji, sreesanth, hayden, ponting.
Interesting fact : The on-court interview was allowed in Wimbeldon only after 2000.