The Third Gender

Today around 2 P.M. I was sitting in the office, doing my random work and discussing with my one colleague Mr. Raj. Suddenly we heard the sound of Dhol (musical instrument) and Raj went outside. As we were having some sort of valuable discussion, I came outside to see what was that sound and where he went.

I couldn't see anything but could hear the sound and understood that the transgenders were there as Diwali is next month.

(They used to come before Holi and Diwali Festival for collecting some money for themselves.)

I came back in the office, sat outside of my cabin and started working on the Laptop.

After some time I saw that they (transgenders) came to our office. As the receptionist was on leave, they came directly inside.

One of them said hello to me with a smile.

I looked at her, smiled and said hello.

She came to the point and asked for the money.

I kept my laptop aside and said, let me talk to sir.

She said sure.

I went inside the cabin and told to sir regarding the same.

Raj also came by now, entered the cabin and started telling to another colleague that I got a coin from them and explained that there is a saying if you receive a coin from them and keep that in the wallet, you won't be out of the money ever.

I came outside the cabin and saw them. They were around 5 persons, everybody gave me the prettiest smile.

I smiled back and said sir is giving money in some time.

Then Ravi (who heard the story of the coin) came outside and gave some money to one of them and in return received the coin.

I was standing and looking at them.

On a cabin's door, there is an advertisement regarding our Kutumb Project and it is written-

Mukhyamantri Jan Awas Yojana 2015

Ek Sundar Ghar Ka Sapna

Ab hoga Apna

(Chief Minister's Jan Awas Yojana- 2015

Dream of a beautiful home

Now will be ours.)


I was standing near that door. One transgender from them came to me and started reading that, she read till the "Ek Sundar Ghar Ka Sapna" and became silent. She looked a little upset.

I asked what happened?

She said I couldn't read it further.

I looked at her, kept silence for a few seconds.

I said you have your home right?

She said, I have everything and still have nothing.

I couldn't say anything.

I looked at everyone's face. They were beautiful and had a gorgeous smile on their faces. I was very happy to see their smiles.

Then sir came outside for the money discussion with them, they were not ready to take a lesser amount.

One of them was very good in her eye expressions and the way she was talking, I loved that.
She said to Raj, I will dance if you want and gave the naughtiest look.

I interrupted and said, "no, you don't have to do anything and gave her a smile".

Then the same transgender who was reading the advertisement earlier in the office came to me and asked, what is written there- 7.35 Lakh. How will I speak it as 7 Lakh 35 Lakh or Thousands?

She was not able to understand how to speak that. I explained that to her.

Then she showed her talent of reading to her friend by repeating the same, and said 'If you would have studied then you would be able to read like me'. She was very much interested in reading. It was her proud (in a good way).

I liked it, how she was happy about the thing that she could read. And that was the saddest part as well even though they wanted to study and have a normal life but how our society doesn't accept them as the way they are and doesn't promote the education for them and a better life.

She turned towards me and said I have studied and still I am here in such condition.

She was trying to tell the way people look at them and doesn't give them respect, which they deserve.

She said, "I also wanted to have a husband and to live with him in the home".

I kept silence.

Meanwhile, sir came and took one of them outside the office and gave the money.

She called all the others for going.

All went. The one who was interacting with me was going from the office but in the halfway, she stopped and came back to me. I asked another one to stop as well and told her that she wanted to have a photo with me.

She came next to me and kept her right hand on my head for the blessings and instructed her friend to take our photo on her phone. She captured.

I said I will also take our photo on my phone. I offered her to capture our photo then thought to take the selfie and included her friend as well.

Both kept their hand on my head for the blessings and I clicked.

While leaving the office she said,  "you will get the nice husband, who will be having the job".

 I smiled and said thank you.

One from our staff said ma'am, what do you want a Businessman or a man having a job.

I laughed and said, "a man who has the job".

They left but the conversation had with them were running in my mind that everyone deserves education, love, and respect. While thinking all that I came outside the office to see them as they didn't go far.

Sir, Raj and I were standing outside the office and looking at them as they were going.

Raj asked me, why didn't you take the coin from them?

I said that is not what I wish for. I have what I wanted and they gave me blessings that are more precious for me.

He replied, yes their blessings do work.

Further, he said, but their life is painful by the society and I have seen even when they die they are not taken normally to the mortuary, their dead body is beaten up.

I didn't want to hear further and came inside the office.

I opened the photos folder on the phone, saw our photo and had a smile on the face.