Any effort to trace the socio-cultural development of Kerala would be incomplete without highlighting the steps that have been taken in the recent past for the uplift of the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) community.
Thripthi Shetty, who is regarded as the first transgender entrepreneur from the State, owes much of her success to the recent measures that were adopted by the government for the welfare of the section and to enable them to stand on their own feet.
Having overcome numerous hurdles in her life, Thripthi’s perseverance has begun to pay off. She is the first transgender to register under the Handicrafts Development Corporation of Kerala and was issued an Artisan Identity Card, issued by the Union Ministry of Textiles, a few days ago.
Subjected to physical torture and public ridicule, Thripthi’s life changed for the better after she was introduced to jewellery-making, an avenue that provided her hope of earning her livelihood. She hasn’t looked back since.
Thripthi has conducted around 15 exhibitions of her handmade jewellery made out of semi-precious stones. She also makes wall paintings as well as decorative show pieces using discarded bottles. A member of a Kudumbasree unit that is based in Kochi, Thripthi has now pinned her hopes on securing a loan under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra (Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency) Yojana.
Require assistance, she says
“I would require the assistance to realise my dream of opening a handicrafts store in a tourism destination. I hope that the State government supports me in my endeavour,” she says.
She did not have much cause for cheer on Friday, despite being allotted a stall at the Public Office Complex to display her products in connection with the Loka Kerala Sabha. Barring a few employees of government offices, the stall failed to draw a steady inflow of visitors. Thripthi has requested the authorities to permit her to shift to another location, possibly the Museum or Kanakakkunnu Palace premises, for the next two days of the programme.
