Bobby, a transgender sex worker, was nervous when she got to know that she has been offered a chance to become the face of traffic discipline along with 20 others of her community. "I am a sex worker. I was hesitant when I got to know that I will be closely working with Delhi traffic cops and learn traffic rules. Although I accepted the chance, I was a bit worried about how it would work out. To my surprise, this is going to change my life for good. I am quitting my profession as a sex worker and getting employed at a respectable place," she told Mail Today.

TRANSGENDERS AS TRAFFIC MONITORS

Like Bobby, there are 20 other transgenders who are going to get a chance to live with dignity as traffic monitors in an initiative by the Delhi Legal Service Authority and Delhi Traffic Police. And the next time you violate a traffic rule in Lutyens' Delhi, a transgender would be there to correct your mistake with a chocolate or a flower. Dressed in ethnic wears, the transgenders would counsel traffic violators at the traffic signal from October 9. While a similar initiative in Mumbai took social media by storm, the DLSA and Delhi Traffic Police are hopeful that the initiative will gain popularity among commuters.

ATTEMPT TO BREAK STEREOTYPES

"This unique initiative is an attempt to break ice and stereotypes people have about transgenders and at the same time sensitise them on traffic safety. The move will help the transgender community gain confidence and inspire them to live life with dignity," said a senior DLSA official.

A similar exercise was carried out in Mumbai, where transgenders draped in purple sarees enacted road safety manuals on traffic signals that became a rage on social media. Rizwan, another transgender who had earlier participated in the act in Mumbai, said, "The same initiative cannot be replicated here as it attracted a lot of crowd and people even made fun of it. This is going to be a different exercise. We will individually approach commuters and point out rules from the traffic manual that they would be found violating."

"The two-day training with the traffic police has been very useful. We got to know so many things that commuters do not follow like wearing gloves and full length shirts to minimise chances of getting any injury in an accident. The first thing I did after the training was over was sensitise my sister who rides a two wheeler," said a participant.

CHANGING PEOPLE'S PERCEPTION

With this unique exercise, the participants believe that they have been given an opportunity to change the perception people have about them and will bring pride in their existence. "People like us who have been begging on the signals have faced hatred, stigma and ignorance. The hands that were used for begging will now direct the traffic signal. It is a revolution. We seek action from policy makers and not just promises. Our lives matter and so does our right to earn with dignity," Abhina Aher, a transgender activist told Mail Today.

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