We are Indians too

Yathartha Pictures uploaded a powerful video in which seven Hijras sing India’s national anthem. This goes back to last February, when Supreme Court finally recognised transgender citizens as the third gender, and made it mandatory for the government to provide them jobs and education quotas.

The short video depicts transgender people in a host of various professions, to celebrate their freedom to pursue them. “Just like Indian men and women, Hijras too have the right to choose an employment, which fits their talent, skill, and passion,” said cinematographer Tushar Pandey while interacting with BuzzFeed.

Urmi, an LGBT activist with the Humsafar Trust, a Mumbai-based NGO which promotes LGBT rights told that while she’s been featured in several videos and documentaries, working on this one left her feeling particularly proud and hopeful. “I’m really thankful to the filmmakers who came up with this concept. It gives me hope to see members of the younger generation working for our community,” she said. Urmi

Sonal Giani, an advocacy manager at the Humsafar Trust, concurred that she is “happy to see young India take up the task of not only being creative but also conveying a very important message with their artistic skills.” Prominent LGBT activist Harish Iyer echoed her sentiment, “With thriving young minds putting themselves in pursuit of building an equal world, I am convinced that there is still a beacon of hope that is burning bright.”

“Many of us have degrees and qualifications. We should also be flight attendants or any other profession we choose,” Urmi said. “We are Indians, too.”