BANGALORE: Transgender activist Akkai Padmashali looked excited on Thursday. The reason for the joy was in her hand: A driving licence she had just received. There was no harassment or too many cross questions during the process, thanks to the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court in April this year, which recognised transgenders as the third gender.

The order also said all identity documents, including birth certificate, passport and driving licence would recognize the third gender, along with male and female.

Akkai said that in all likelihood, she could be the first transgender in the country to get a DL after the apex court judgment. "As the SC order also upheld transgender persons' right to decide their gender, she preferred "Female" as gender while filling the licence application. And the good thing was that I was confident of moving around the offices and getting the things done easily," she added.

The transgender explained how difficult it was for her to get identity proofs all these years. "We were almost barred from getting most identity proofs. I had to fight for several years to get my passport. For driving licence, my father used to ask me to accompany him to the RTO. But I was hesitant, feeling shy about what answer I should give if somebody asked about my gender," she added.

Before the SC ruling, there were hardly any welfare, economic, cultural or political programmes where transgenders were included at state or the central government level.

Akkai said the driving school was also cooperative. "What I see after the apex court order is some level of sensitization about transgenders. Hope my example %encourages other transgenders to go ahead and get licences without hiccups," she said.