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Time of India
9 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Trans-formation: At LGBTQ+ job fair in city, stories of new beginnings and hope
New Delhi: With no family support and no one willing to give him a job, transman Andy Kashyap, was forced to sell momos at a makeshift stall outside his rented room in Mohali to make ends meet three years ago. It was a visit to a job fair in Delhi organised exclusively for LGBTQI+ community in 2023 that changed his life. Today 29-year-old is a busy man, working at a diversity, equity and inclusion advisory firm and happily guiding other job seekers. A native of Ferozepur in Punjab, Andy's story reflects the challenges faced by qualified youth from the LGBTQI+ community when it comes to finding inclusive workspaces. From engineers to aspiring development professionals, one could see many queuing up at the one-of-its-kind job fair in the capital on Wednesday — the National Trans Employment Mela 2025. The fair was its third year, organised by NGO TWEET Foundation and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisory firm InHarmony working to build inclusive workplaces in collaboration with the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment. Social justice minister Virendra Kumar, in his inaugural speech, asserted that the job fair was one platform that not only opened doors to livelihood but also celebrated the immense talent and resilience of the community. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Run Your Business Like a Pro - Top Trending Accounting Software (Check Now) Accounting ERP Click Here Undo The event brought together over 160 transgender and non-binary candidates from across the country. Among the companies that came to the fair to recruit candidates one found prominent names like Publicis Sapient, Hexaware, EY Foundation, Mahindra Logistics, Godrej Capital, Procter & Gamble, The Lemon Tree hotels, HDFC Life and The Lalit hotel. As one walked from stall to stall it turned out that this was no regular job fair. At one end were recruiters doing all to ensure the conversations, questions and responses were sensitive and inclusive and at the other end were job seekers hoping against hope to get that one job where they would feel accepted for who they were without being judged. Andy, for instance, holds a degree from Punjab University in history and psychology and a diploma in hotel management. From earning a mere Rs 150 selling momos and doing other odd jobs, Andy has come a long way, not just earning Rs 17,000 a month but gaining confidence to undergo the required surgeries and hormonal treatment to assert and openly speak about his transman identity. Emerging from the Mahindra Logistics stall, 20-year-old Lalit Yadav from Dhanbad in Jharkhand could not hold back his excitement. The commerce graduate shared that he had landed his first internship based on his interview. Born Lalita, this young boy said he was lucky to have the support of his parents, his milkman father and housewife mother. The young transman aspires to one day prove successful in a govt service exams and serve as an officer in his home state of Bihar. Most others, however, shared stories of facing transphobia at home and outside. Ankita Singh, a 26-year-old automation engineer, is a case in point. A BTech graduate in computer sciences from Visakhapatnam and currently based in Hyderabad, the transwoman is currently jobless and was seen going from stall to stall sharing her CV. She said her first job at a start-up ended soon after her employers got to know about her identity. In her next job, she said she faced humiliation and insensitivity from her employers. "I am looking for a job that can give me respect and value my work based on my qualifications," she asserted. That finding a job is not easy is evident when one meets 24-year-old Prerna, a Delhi University graduate who is pursuing her master's degree in gender studies from IGNOU. Articulate and qualified, she failed to land a job of her liking last year at the fair but it gave her the platform to meet like-minded people. She currently works at an insurance company that provides her an inclusive atmosphere. "But I am back at the job fair to meet more people and employers. I work as an associate and have the confidence of seeking roles that allow me to take on bigger responsibilities going forward," she said with confidence. Amidst the flurry of activity, one saw 36-year-old Mani Mallarapu, a transman, quietly leaning against a stall holding onto his crutches. The Hyderabad native suffered polio when three years old. He barely managed to get past Class XII and could not study any further as travelling to town for higher education from his village was well near impossible. Working as a volunteer for survival with an NGO in Hyderabad, Mani was in Delhi on Wednesday to participate in the job fair at The Lalit hotel. "I know there is even less acceptance for a transman with a disability than for others, but I am here to still try my best," he said with a determination that underlined the essence of the job fair aimed at making inclusive workspaces a reality.
Business Standard
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
3rd edition of Trans Employment Mela on June 18 2025 in Delhi aims for 100 jobs for transgender & non-binary candidates
VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 16: Building on the momentum of its past editions, the Trans Employment Mela is back for its third edition on June 18, 2025, in New Delhi. Organised by the TWEET Foundation and InHarmony, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), the event continues to push forward a national dialogue on inclusive employment and economic justice for transgender and non-binary individuals. In 2024, the Mela drew 227 participants and facilitated over 77 placements across more than 20 companies, nearly doubling the placement numbers from its 2023 debut. This year, the organisers are setting a bold target of 100 placements, backed by strategic industry engagement and a growing movement to create inclusive workplaces. More than a job fair, the Trans Employment Mela is a rallying point for change--bringing together public and private sector employers, sensitisation experts, and community leaders to break down barriers and build pathways for sustainable livelihoods. Abhina Aher, Founder, TWEET Foundation, emphasized, "The Mela is not just about getting a job--it's about claiming a rightful place in the economic fabric of our country. For too long, transgender persons have been excluded from formal employment, forced into the margins despite their skills, potential, and resilience. The Trans Employment Mela is a statement that we will no longer be sidelined. We need many more such platforms that offer not only visibility but dignity, access, and equity." Anupama Easwaran, Founder, InHarmony, said, "Workplace inclusion begins with opening doors--and that's exactly what the Trans Employment Mela does. It bridges the gap between talent that's often overlooked and opportunities that can be transformative. This isn't just about ticking a diversity box--it's about building cultures where everyone is valued, where bias is actively dismantled, and where transgender and non-binary individuals can thrive as their authentic selves. We look forward to deeper and more meaningful engagement from industry leaders this year." Maya Awasthy, Co-Founder, TWEET Foundation, shared, "Every edition of the Mela is a powerful reminder that inclusion is not just an aspiration--it's an actionable goal. From 58 placements in 2023 to 77 last year, we've seen firsthand how access to dignified employment transforms lives. Our goal for 2025 is ambitious but necessary: 100 placements, 100 individuals finding not just jobs, but a renewed sense of purpose, independence, and belonging. We urge companies to step forward--not just to hire, but to learn, unlearn, and lead by example in building a truly equitable workforce." The announcement of the 3rd edition of the Trans Employment Mela was made during the annual celebrations of the TWEET Foundation, where over 300 representatives from the transgender community were present, including celebrities, allies, and dignitaries. The vibrant gathering served as a powerful reminder of the strength, unity, and resilience of the community, while also reinforcing the importance of inclusive platforms like the Mela in driving real social change. This year's edition will feature job interviews, networking sessions, corporate sensitisation workshops, panel discussions, and performances by community artists. It will also be a platform for unveiling new partnerships, tools, and frameworks that support trans-led advocacy and promote inclusive hiring across sectors. The Mela also celebrates the growing presence of transgender entrepreneurs who are breaking barriers and building businesses across industries. Their success stories not only redefine representation but also serve as powerful testimonies to the resilience, creativity, and leadership within the transgender community. Publicis Sapient returns as the Platinum Sponsor for this year, while P & G and Hexaware join as Gold Sponsors for this edition. ABOUT ORGANIZERS TWEET Foundation ( is an NGO based out of Delhi and Mumbai led by trans persons dedicated to providing the community with crisis support, short shelter stay, health and legal resources, and connecting them with skill building and inclusive employment opportunities. TWEET works closely with key stakeholders for mainstreaming advocacy for the rights of transgender persons. It works with the government to bring in policy-level changes and works with civil societies and the corporate sectors to build strategic partnerships to support the trans movement and welfare. InHarmony ( is a pioneering Diversity, Equity & Inclusion advisory firm dedicated to fostering inclusive workplaces across India. Specializing in consultancy services, training solutions, employee wellbeing programs, research, and diversity hiring support, their impact spans various industries, guiding companies in the cultivation of inclusive & equitable spaces. InHarmony's expertise encompasses gender, LGBTQIA+ individuals, persons with disabilities, and less privileged caste categories, catering to diverse age groups. It boasts a distinguished panel of experts including facilitators, coaches, psychologists, psychiatrists, and trainers, all committed to delivering bespoke, innovative solutions tailored to meet each client's unique needs. InHarmony's founder, Anupama Easwaran is a board member of TWEET Foundation working extensively with the transgender community since the past 8 years. She is the recipient of the APCOM Hero Award 2023 in the Community Ally category and a 2 time TEDx speaker. At InHarmony, their mission is to drive positive cultural change, making workplaces places where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.
