This Incident Shared by Quora User Is Worth Reading and Thought Provoking

This Incident Shared by Quora User Is Worth Reading and Thought Provoking

Follow @bjlvyas by Bijal Vyas / April. 30, 2015

How many times do we see people of third gender begging on streets, traffic signals and in train. We have different perceptive of looking at them, we as society are harsh with them.

Ignorance, Weird looks, Rejection, ill treatment that is all they get. Question is why? When our government has already given them status then why can not we accept? I used to think like this but never gave much of thought of going ahead and talking to any such person and trying to find out their views ever cause again I am also part of society which is scared of them, God knows why. This response shared by Hemanth on thread "What are some of the best train convesrations?" on quora really changed the way we are bound to stereotypes about the Transgender.

Hemanth's Experience in his own words :
"I was travelling in a train to goa. It was around 8 Pm. I was sleeping in the upper berth. There came the transgender people and all my friends were a bit nervous and tensed too. It is mostly seen in local trains as they behave too bad when people reject to give them money(change of 2,3 Rs). I didn't want to get into trouble either. I pretended to be asleep and one of my friends gave 10 Rs and said it's from all of us.

But my other friend wanted to make some fun and called that person loudly saying "one is on the upper couch from whom you didn't ask money." They thought it's funny because, I neither had change nor did I have 10 Rs note in my purse. Moreover it was in my bag which was under the seat. I was cursing my friend about this and that person was laughing and stood in front of me. I finally managed to give her/him Rs 5 which I found in my bag which was there luckily in some pocket. Weird thing was,first time in my life I didn't feel nervous nor afraid of those people. It may be because I had a small conversation while I was searching my bag. I just went near the door after that. After around 10 min, that person came from the other side. I was sitting near the door, looking out. I looked back and saw her(The person was dressed like a lady.I'll so call that person "her") and don't know why I replied when she said "hi". I just stood and started the conversation. I asked " why do you people do this begging in train? Its not even begging. You people demand money."

She answered with a smile: " Most of us are uneducated and we'll never find a job and are abandoned by our family. We don't have a choice." I got a little curious and so asked:
"Abandoned by family? Do you know who your parents are? "
She: I know who they are. At least they put me in some Anathashram and were not like others,some who were left on streets.
Me: They visit you sometime?
She : No. Only my brother visits sometimes in few lonely places.Most of the times,because he needs some money.
Me: Why can't you start a business of your own? Guess you make a lot of money here.
She: No. We all work together. We have to share it among ourselves. Moreover we need to give a large share to one who's in charge of the area.

I was surprised to hear they had a leader too!
Me: Oh okay. Still you can start some small business like a tea shop or something right?
She: ya guess I can. I never actually thought of that. It might work.
Me: Hmmm. So how will your life be? I mean, you don't have family and no true friends. So what to you hold onto in your life?
She: I don't know of others. I take care of few children who are like me and so are abandoned by their family and left in streets. I find my happiness there. They are unaware of why people look at them differently and children of their age are not let to play with them. I play with them, take them to movies sometimes. It's all I have in my life.
I was ashamed of myself for being one among this society which show sympathy for people who are handicapped, who suffer from diseases and even people who comes of a jail for doing horrible things in life but not for these who are left with no other option but to humiliate themselves and suffer for the mistake of a gene. Society which has forgotten these people exist!!

But she's helping these children. No matter what she does, I still found her to be a true human.
While I was thinking, a man passed who sells puri in the train. (Puri is a like a chaat prepared from paddy.)
She called him and asked for two plates. I told "No thanks. I don't want one"
She replied " It's ok brother. I know you don't have change. I'll buy one for you."
I didn't say anything but said thanks after I finished eating.
I was about to leave when she told "Thank you. Most of them won't talk to us too."
I said: " I was one of them who didn't talk to you people and from now on, I won't be. "
She smiled and replied: I am thinking of starting a small tea shop. It's not a bad idea either, but you must promise to be the first customer.
I replied: I'll be the one customer who will also bring my friends convincing them that they will have the best tea of their life. Hope I won't have to lie to them.
She just smiled.
I left a few steps and turned back and went to her and asked "Your number? I'll know when you start your shop right?"
She gave her number and took mine. It's been a month. I received a call yesterday. She asked if I still remember her. I told I am still waiting to bring my friends. She said I am gathering money and she wanted to keep that promise of making the best tea too. She talked for few minutes. I sensed a feeling of happiness in her.
After the call, I was the one who felt happy. I thought I now have one true friend added to my group.

And now,
I am waiting for that call which says "Remember me bro? It's time you bring your friends :)" "
How inspiring it is of Hemanth to encourage someone to pursue something for good.
Keep Inspiring Bro :)
Whenever you receive that call, do not forget to inform us. We cam simply barge in to meet her :D