By Pritesh Kamble, Program Manager,
Supported by Intel
Shamnad is a transwoman born into a conservative orthodox muslim family in Kanur in Kerala. At a very young age, she felt she was different with regards to appearance, behaviour and identity, like a woman, and her family and society never accepted her. Her family never understood her. In their eyes, being transgender was not only unacceptable but also shameful. I always knew I was different, my heart, my mind, my soul, they were all a woman’s. But nobody saw that,” says Shamnad.
Despite completing her education up to the higher secondary level, she was forced to discontinue her studies to support her family in their fish and meat trading business. Unfortunately, at the business point, co-workers and other people mocked her, saying that people like her could never manage a business or live a normal life. Though these words hurt her, she ignored them and thought that this would change someday, and people would understand her feelings and accept her.
When her father’s old stationery shop was shut down after years, her family was worried that she might leave the house and join transgender (hijra) group outside Kerala. Hence, parents asked her to reopen the stationery shop and look after it. This opportunity provided her a lifeline to take charge of the shop, stand on her own feet and create an identity.
The shop was dusty, and paint had peeled off the walls since it had been closed for many days. Though she stocked some materials in the shop, very few customers approached, as the shop was not attractive. Due to a lack of financial support, she could not renovate the shop, which resulted in business failure.
One fine day, Shamnad reached Sandhya, mentor of CYDA, who encouraged her to join the business training program of Centre for Youth Development and Activities. She learnt to know the needs and priorities of the customers, manage profit and loss, savings and investments. CYDA supported her with a grant of Rs. 10K to develop her business, in which she purchased a few stationery items, toys, snacks, sweets and also renovated the shop.
Customers started coming in as the shop became livelier, attracting more people. Today, she earns enough to save and even invest Rs. 100 daily in a local savings fund, and also pays Rs. 50 as rent to her father. People began to talk about her hard work and success.
Shamnad says – “Thanks to CYDA…..I have not only revived a closed business but also reshaped perceptions. I share my experience with other transgender people, encouraging them to take part in training and believe in their potential. Where once people believed that transgender persons could only be sex workers or beggars, I have shown that we can be business owners, changemakers, and respected members of society.”
