Sakhi Char Chaughi

Thirty-four-year-old transgender activist Gauri Sawant was working as a director of Sakhi Char Chowghi Trust, in Malad.Sawant has now given all her role and responsibilities to the new upcoming generation. She would now work with full devotion for AAJI CHA GHAR. Sawant had started a canteen to ensure TGs in the vicinity, mainly HIV/AIDS infected, get one nutritious meal a day. This setup went kaput after constant harassment by police and authorities who refused legal sanction. Her organization now offers beauty courses and agarbatti-making classes. “But we only receive cheap jobs like a masseur's role at unisex parlours. Even making agarbattis is turning out a failure because we lack marketing skills. It's impos sible to sell door-to-door, right?” she shares. However, Sawant advises friends prepping up for a job interview. “I ask them to tone down their make-up and attire. And there’s no need to show off those breast implants,” she reveals, adding: “The mentality needs to change from both sides. Unlike (TG activist) Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi who stays with her parents in a good locality, we reside in slums where every day is a struggle.”