Kolkata: They have often been mocked at for being transpersons with few willing to employ them. But some have started scripting their own journey by transforming into entrepreneurs. A pop-up market in Kolkata on Tuesday was testimony to them taking life head-on in a society where they still face discrimination.
Apparels, jewellery, handicraft creations, food, web development, pet shop, nail art and perfume stalls were set up by transpersons in the lawn of the German Consulate General Kolkata.
Kusum Samanta, a transwoman, narrated how she was treated on the basis of her looks. “Whenever I travel in public transport, people think I am going to beg. Some even asked me to visit their house and bless their newborns. I don’t want to live that life, I want to live a normal life like others,” she said.
“This is really special and can probably happen only in Kolkata, because the city is all about diversity and treating everybody equally. For us, it was important to support this mission,” said Barbara Voss, the Consul General of Germany.
Bappaditya Mukherjee, founder-director of Prantakatha that organised the event, said they will attempt to organize this pop-up markets in different locations across the city.
“I believe that people will say a lot of things, but we should continue doing what we love to do. Listening to others will only fill us up with negativity,” said Rimpa Mondal, another participant.