By Ms Kadambari , Head – Inclusion Unit
Athira was born in Kannur, Kerala, in a lower middle class family. In her early years, life felt normal and peaceful. She lived with her family, went to school, and had simple hopes like any other child. She felt safe at home. But as she started to understand and express her identity as a transwoman, things slowly began to change. The same home that once gave her comfort became a place of silence and rejection. Her family could not accept her. The pressure grew so strong that she had to leave her studies after the 10th standard. At the age of 25, Athira left her home.
She moved to Kochi, hoping to start a new life, but she faced daily struggles. There was no stable work, no security and no clear route ahead. In the initial days, she earned approximately Rs.200/- to Rs.300/- per day through dance performance but it was never enough. Many a day, there was no work at all, and gradually her fear increased. Still, she did not give up.
One day, a friend told her about a Rainbow Katta meeting that supports members of the LGBTQIA+ community through different training programmes. One of these is the Entrepreneurship Development Programme, which offers simple, practical business training to help young people start their own businesses. Without any delay, she joined the 15 day training programme. For the first time in a long while, she felt accepted and welcomed, something she had been missing for many years. Through the Programme, she learnt how to develop a business, calculate profit and loss, and manage savings. The training also helped her believe in herself and gain confidence to move forward in life.
During the programme, a small idea started growing in her mind. She remembered how she used to raise chickens during her childhood. With the training, guidance, and seed capital support of Rs. 10,000, Athira started a small poultry business with 50 chicks of a special breed. The eggs from this breed are known for their medicinal properties.
She purchased a basic poultry shelter and bought feed and medicines. In the beginning, she faced problems like a lack of experience, managing the health of the chickens, and finding customers. Some people even hesitated to buy from her. Additionally, as a trans woman, she encountered social hesitation from some buyers, which affected her early sales. However, with continued guidance and practical learning, she gradually overcame these barriers.
She began selling the eggs locally through nearby households, small vendors, and local markets, where the demand for these eggs was high, valued for their medicinal and cultural benefits.
Gradually, things began to change. Her chickens grew and egg production increased. Customers slowly started trusting her. She began selling eggs at Rs.30/- each. Her income increased from Rs.12,000/- to Rs.15,000/- per month and she started earning a profit of Rs.6,000/- to Rs.8,000/-.
The same society that once distanced itself from her has gradually begun to treat her with respect and recognition, approaching her as a businesswoman rather than judging her identity. Regular customers, growing orders, and positive word-of-mouth have strengthened her place in the community. As an entrepreneur, Athira feels empowered, independent, and proud of her journey—knowing she has created her own path despite the odds.
Looking ahead, she plans to expand her poultry unit by increasing the number of chickens, improving infrastructure, and exploring direct supply to local shops and markets, aiming to further increase her income and build a sustainable enterprise.
This initiative is supported by Bajaj Finserv.
