Bengal’s first trans woman lawyer, Megh Sayantani Ghosh, is using her savings to feed the poor, intersex, and transgender people in Kolkata during the coronavirus lockdown.
With the rise of coronavirus cases in West Bengal, the situation is getting worse every day. Transgender people, who are largely shunned by society, are coming forward to help.
With the help of Kolkata Police, South Division, and NGO Bandhu Ek Asha, Ghosh is distributing food and essential items to the homeless of Kolkata, along with the intersex and transgender community. Association of Transgender/Hijra in Bengal celebrates the month of April as Transgender month since, on April 15, 2014, the Supreme Court declared transgender people as the third gender.
Ghosh said, “I started the initiative from the month of April as the month is lucky for our community.”
“I plan cultural programs every year, but this year the situation is different, and I thought of doing something new. Ranjita Sinha, a renowned transgender activist, has inspired me a lot,” she added.
More than 20 transgender and homeless people are being given food and masks by Ghosh. Kolkata Police handled the distribution of food by maintaining proper hygiene and social distancing.
Ghosh said, “In the upcoming future until the situation gets normal, I will keep on helping them with my own savings. We never get any appreciation from this society after doing so many things for it.”