It was heartening to see the spotlight on the transgender community at a recent fair held in Borivli. Called the ‘Trans Empowerment Mela — Anandi Anand Gade’, it comprised 25 stalls put up by more than 300 transgender people from across the country. From 4.30 pm to 10 pm, the VK Krishna Menon Academy Ground saw them selling a number of products like saris and materials, as well as showcasing their culinary talent with various food stalls.

It was encouraging to see the community find an avenue to showcasing their talents, and even more heartening that there were a considerable number of people who came to the fair to browse and buy. The transgender ‘label’ did not put them off. There were families, young women buying beauty products, and professionals, all of who treated this mela like any other. A man who had brought his family was happy that his children could see transgenders in new light, different from the stereotype that persists in society’s perception.