JAMMU: In its attempt towards building an inclusive society, the Department of Journalism and Media Studies (DJMS), University of Jammu, collaborated with the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt of India, to organize a one-day offline workshop on “Transgender: Representation and Reality” here today.
The workshop was attended by over 200 participants from Cluster University, IIMC, Central University, Department of Sociology, JU, Law School, JU along with the students of the host Department.
Eminent dignitaries from the Judiciary, Media, and the University graced the inaugural session.
The chief guest of the event Dinesh Manhotra, Secretary of the General Press Club of Jammu, said that it is a socially relevant topic and one that needs a lot of groundwork. He congratulated the Department for taking such an initiative and said that the Press Club would always support such initiatives.
On this occasion, senior High Court Advocates Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed and Dinesh Chauhan briefed the participants on the “Provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act & Rules, 2019-2020” and said that such acts are a beginning point for long term social changes.
Advocate Dinesh Chauhan shared his experiences of working with Transgenders in the field and highlighted their problems. He said that such sensitization events can go a long way in giving acceptability to this section of the community.
In his Welcome Address Prof Shyam Narayan Lal emphasized the commitment of the University to such causes.
Sanjay, Consultant NISD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment apprised the gathering of the different initiatives taken by the Ministry for Transgenders.
The first panel was Chaired by the renowned Journalist Pradeep Dutta and Arnavi Sharma, Alice Chaudhary, and Riya shared their life experiences as Transgenders.
Alice who studied till class 10 and specializes in sales and clothes shared that the support of family is very important in the life of a transgender but sadly they are disowned by their families.
Riya who works at BDO, Bari Brahmana, said, “I have been blessed with the acceptability of my Peers and I do wish to be born as a Transgender even in my Next Life.”
They requested the authorities for separate facilities in various buildings as well as in Transport and training of the doctors to ensure better Medical facilities for them.
In his address as Chairperson, Pradeep Dutta said, “It is not the third Gender but it is Super Gender that combines the strength of both the genders.”
The session was conducted by Bharti, Student, at DJMS.
In the second panel on transgender representation, academic perspectives were shared as case studies by Associate Prof Dr. Hema Gandotra, Dept of Sociology, JU, and Sr. Assistant Prof Dr. Archna Kumari from the Central University of Jammu.
The speakers shared their experience of working in the field with Transgenders and their issues and challenges. The session was chaired by Prof Monika Sethi from the Dept of English, University of Jammu.
The NGO partners of the event Climate Front Jammu and The Queers from Jammu were represented by Kartik and Lakshana Gupta who were felicitated at the event.
