United Way Hyderabad has been instrumental in driving meaningful social change by supporting initiatives that empower marginalized communities, especially individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community. Through their efforts, they have helped create a more inclusive and equitable environment. A key figure in this journey is Pritesh Kamble, Director of Rainbow Roots Foundation. His leadership and commitment have provided guidance and encouragement to many, developing a greater acceptance, visibility, and respect.
People from the LGBTQIA+ community are important members of society who add richness and diversity to our lives. They bring unique perspectives, talents and contributions that help communities grow culturally, socially and economically. But still many faces exclusion, unfair treatment and obstacles just for being themselves. Recognizing and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community is not just about fairness—it is necessary to build a society where everyone has a chance to succeed and feel included.
Facing the world with courage
Twenty-four-year-old Shruti, being a trans woman, has never had it easy, especially in a deeply traditional society that comes with its own set of challenges. From facing judgmental stares to navigating rejection in relationships due to transphobia, Shruti has experienced firsthand the cruelty of a society that often fails to see beyond labels. People have called her “different” or “unclean,” reducing her humanity to harmful stereotypes. But through all the pain, Shruti chose not to hide—she chose to shine.
From dancing to dream bigger
Shruti initially found work as a dancer, a path often chosen by trans individuals who struggle to find opportunities in mainstream employment. However, the inconsistent income made it difficult for her to plan for the future or support her family. “I realized I could not keep living like this—hand to mouth, without any savings,” she recalls. That realization became the spark that fueled a new dream to start her own business.
The birth of a catering business
With the strong support of her mother, Shruti decided to turn her love for cooking into a source of income. She launched a small catering business from her home, initially serving meals to just two students. The early days were tough—the cost of groceries and delivery often exceeded her limited earnings. But Shruti did not give up. With hard work, word of mouth and the authenticity of her food, her customer base began to grow.
Faced obstacles but did not stop
As her business picked up, Shruti faced another hurdle: a sudden drop in orders due to customer cancellations. “It was discouraging,” she admits. “I had just begun to feel a little stable and then things started slipping again.” Still, she held on, refusing to let setbacks define her journey.
A Turning Point
At this critical juncture, Shruti’s life took a positive turn when a friend introduced her to Centre for Youth Development and Activities. CYDA offered a business training program designed for individuals like Shruti—people with potential, but lacking the tools to scale their ideas. Through the program, Shruti learnt crucial skills like budgeting, cost management and how to cultivate a business mindset. More than just technical knowledge, the training gave Shruti confidence. “I learnt that I am not just someone struggling—I am a businesswoman,” Shruti says with pride.
A small grant sparked big change
After completing the training, Shruti received a grant of Rs.10,000/- from CYDA. She invested Rs.8,000/- in purchasing raw materials and used Rs.2,000/- to purchase new tiffin boxes for meal delivery. These small but significant upgrades helped her improve the quality and consistency of her service.
A Journey of Financial Independence
Where once she earned an inadequate income of Rs.2,000/- a month as a dancer, Shruti’s catering business now brings in profits of up to Rs.10,000/- monthly during peak seasons. The financial growth helped her family and also instilled a deep sense of pride and independence.
Shruti’s life story is not just about her—it’s about the countless LGBTQIA+ individuals who have dreams, talent, and ambition but are held back by societal bias and lack of opportunity. “We are humans first,” she says, “not a category to be judged.”
