Trans woman overcomes adversity to teach English at Karkala school
2
Udupi: In a quiet classroom in Karkala, English lessons come with an inspiring story of courage, perseverance and self-respect. Krishtika, a trans woman from Manipal, overcame deep personal struggles and societal rejection to become a schoolteacher.
She now teaches English to students from classes 2 to 8 at an unaided school in Bailoor.
Despite holding an MCom and a BEd, Krishtika faced relentless rejection after her gender transition. "I was turned away from many jobs. Some even suggested I resort to begging or sex work. But I was determined to live with dignity," she told TOI. Her determination eventually paid off when the school in Karkala chose to see her for her qualifications and dedication rather than her gender identity.
Krishtika's journey of self-discovery began in childhood. "In Class 3 or 4, I felt more comfortable around girls. By Class 7 or 8, I knew I didn't feel like a boy, though I didn't yet understand what it meant to be transgender," she recalled. "In Class 6, I wore a sari for the first time — it was the happiest moment of my life," said Krishtika.
While her childhood dream was to become a doctor, health issues and low marks in Class 10 led her to pursue commerce.
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During her BEd course, she came out to her mother and expressed her wish to undergo gender reassignment surgery. "My mother did not talk to me for nearly 20 days. I told her I was educated and would find a job, and that all I wanted was to live as my true self."
With little family support, Krishtika underwent counselling and committed to her transition. At one point, she considered backing out to please her mother, but her counsellors encouraged her to stay true to her identity.
She later embraced the Hijra culture and was guided by her guru, Lavanya. "I told my guru that I wouldn't beg or do sex work. I wanted to live and work with dignity," Krishtika said.
The gender reassignment surgery, which spanned nearly a year, was both physically and emotionally taxing. "I spent 41 days in isolation — no mirrors, no phones. The Hijra community took care of me during that time," she said.
Returning home brought its own challenges.
Her family, especially her mother, struggled to come to terms with the transformation of their only son into a trans woman. Meanwhile, job applications led to repeated rejections. "At one interview for an accountant's post, I was body-shamed and asked humiliating questions. I felt completely shattered," she shared.
"The school in Bailoor gave me a chance and the staff has been supportive. Now I teach English," she said.
Headmistress Chandrika Kulal said, "She deserved this job. We must value the person first — gender comes later. She's committed, responsible and always ready to help."
Krishtika lives with her mother and grandmother.
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