First broadcast February 2007

The story of those who describe themselves as 'transgender'.

Most people around the world would think of them as transvestites: men who chose to express themselves as women.

Many in India are that, but many are also traditional eunuchs and they are eunuchs for a variety of reasons.

In India they are often know as the 'Hijras' and they strongly divide opinion all over the country.

Rupa Jha meets Laxmi, an Hijras, to find out more about their role in modern Indian society.

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