Delhi: Trangenders, law students

to offer road safety lessons

The teams will work in two shifts -- 10 am to noon and 2 to 4 pm -- on
selected days, hold banners, distribute pamphlets to motorists and interact
with them.
By: PTI | New Delhi | Published:October 16, 2016 5:29 pm (Indian Express)

A transgender, who underwent the training, said they were told how important it is to wear
helmets properly.

Next time you are stopped by transgenders at a traffic signal, they may
have a safety lesson for you. The transgenders, associated with Noida-based
NGO Basera, and law students have teamed up with the Delhi Traffic Police to
impart lessons on road safety to motorists in the national Capital from October
25. The initiative, which also focuses on bringing transgenders into the
mainstream, is the brainchild of Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA).
We will hold a dress rehearsal on October 23 at Baba Kharag Singh MargIt
will formally start on October 25. 150 volunteers and 26 transgenders will form

teams and dole out traffic lessons in various districts, Dharmesh Sharma,
Member Secretary, DSLSA, said.
The teams will work in two shifts 10 am to noon and 2 to 4 pm on
selected days, hold banners, distribute pamphlets to motorists and interact with
them.
The volunteers have undergone a two-day training at the Traffic Training
Park on Baba Kharag Singh Marg. They will impart road safety lessons on
November 5, 12, 19 and 26 as part of the three-month pilot project.
One of the objectives of our programme is to incorporate transgenders in the
mainstream, said Sharma.
Ram Kali, who heads Basera, said, Many of the transgenders who are
part of the initiative beg at traffic signals and are sex workers. This has given us
hope. Its a matter of pride for our communityWe will also be paid Rs 1,000 a
day.
Kali said many people praised them during one of their rehearsals at India
Gate.
One person said to me usually we see people from the transgender community
begging at traffic signals, but its inspiring to see you as traffic volunteers,
said Kali.
Another transgender, who underwent the training, said they were told
how important it is to wear helmets properly.
I have no qualms about saying that I was a sex worker, but around a month
ago, I came to know about this initiative. The members of Basera counselled
meIts been a month since I have left that profession, said Rohini (name
changed).
The volunteers will ask rickshaw-pullers and e-rickshaw drivers at metro
and railway stations not to obstruct movement of passengers and park their
vehicles properly, said Sharma.