Disowned trans woman gives new lease of life to abandoned children
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Ranchi: Rajkumari, a 63-year-old trans woman from Bihar's Bareilly, faced unimaginable hardship right from a tender age after being disowned by her father, following her mother's passing.
Left to fend for herself, she wandered for days till she was taken under the wings of a compassionate community of trans women, who provided her with shelter and support.
That act of kindness by the group left a deep impression on her and motivated her to work for the deprived throughout her life.
In the last 20 years, Rajkumari has been nurturing and giving a new lease of life to seven children, who were disowned by their families for various reasons.
She has adopted the children, educated them and supported them to build their own careers and families. She is now devoted to raising two more young kids – a four-year-old and a mere six-month-old infant, giving them a chance at a brighter future.
"When my father disowned me and threw me out of home for a reason for which I was not responsible at all, I was hurt and shocked. At that time, the trans women group appeared as angels before me and saved my life.
Around 20 years ago, when I encountered a baby barely a few days old, I found myself in the same position as them and from that day onwards, I took it as a mission to rescue and raise the souls who are abandoned by their parents," Rajkumari told TOI.
With no family of her own to turn to, she has become the guardian angel of the children, providing them with a second chance at life. "They have made me feel fulfilled, having lived a significant amount of my life without the warmth of a family.
As marriages do not take place in the Kinnar community, I would not ever feel the togetherness of a family if I had not found these children," she added.
Rajkumari collects the money needed to raise the children and their education by wandering on the Bokaro streets and participating in auspicious family functions. Despite the economic hurdles she faces every day in nourishing the children, she continues to do the noble work.
"I have appealed to the govt authorities for financial help in raising my children many times. Although they had promised, I have not received anything yet. Nevertheless, without anyone's help, I will continue my work till my last breath," she added.
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