28-yr-old transgender contests Cuttack civic polls independently to ensure justice to slum dwellers

A 28-year-old individual from the transgender community, Tanushree Behera, is going to contest the election for corporator in the Cuttack Municipal Corporation. Behera is the only contestant of her gender in the entire municipality election, which is scheduled to be held on March 24.

Speaking to ANI, Behera said, "When my family got to know that I am transgender, my father forcefully asked me to step out from home at the age of 14 years. I left my home and grew up with slum people. For the last 10 years, I have been working as a social worker here for the slum people."

"Ahead of forthcoming municipality elections, people approached me to contest independently for the post of corporator from the ward (No 38) in Cuttack municipality. Later, I filled nomination paper for the position of corporate with my supporters to end the barriers of development for slum people here," said Behra.

Tanushree further said, "My ward (No 38), which comprises Chhatra Bazar and the Malgodown areas, has some of the largest slums in Cuttack including Behera Sahi, Das Sahi, Nua Sahi, Suryanagar Basti, Sagar Sahi and Coal Depot slum. I will fight for the rights of slum dwellers to get them justice and livelihood."

"My aim is to provide them land documents (Patta), employment, better treatment, schools for children, vehicles and other facilities. These are the basic requirements which some dwellers are deprived of," Behera said, adding that, "I don't want fame or popularity, I only want to serve people for their better future."

Despite financial challenges, she completed an ITI degree from ABIT in Cuttack. She got an opportunity to work at a private company but was bound to leave the job after being harassed mentally and physically, she said.

( With inputs from ANI )