Transgenders in Indian Trains

Last Year I visited one of our (Jain religion’s) holy place situated in Giridih in Jharkhand state of India.

It was a family trip. We were excited a lot about it .It was a 20 hours long journey including one full night. We were having a great time in the train during journey.We went to sleep in the night on our respective berths.

In morning we woke up and did the routine work and had some breakfast which we were carrying with us. We were enjoying beautiful morning via the window looking the sceneries outside. Then we heard some loud voices of men. At first we were not sure what it was, but we didn’t have to wait much.

What we saw next, some 4-5 eunuchs (Trans genders) entered into our coach.

They were looking like men wearing Sari (Indian ethical women attire).They started demanding money from each of us. We were like what the hell. Why should we give them money, they all were in good shape and we could not relate them with beggars.

One of them came to me and asked for money. I felt embarrassed in front of the whole family. I didn’t want to give them money, because they were not handicapped beggars.

Seeing my protest, they started shouting and removing their clothes and the impact of that was a ten rupees note in my hand. I didn’t take even one second to hand it over to them and they moved to next compartment showering their blessings.

I felt a bit relieved after they were gone, but it didn’t last long. After around one hour, there was a new group of Trans genders demanding money.

I was like oh God, please save us. This time they chosen one of my brothers and demanded money. We told them that we have already given the money to earlier group. And then came the shocker, the new group told us that previous ones were men not Trans genders. I was like what the hell is going on.

Anyway we had to give them money, as we had already seen what they were capable of. And it continued until we reached out destination.

I felt very sad about the group of men who were portraying themselves as Trans gender just to extract money from common people.

Also I had some serious questions in my mind. I know that god didn’t do justice with them, but does that mean that they have got the rights to harass common people. Cannot we equalize them in our society so that they can live happily and let us live happily. Supreme Court has recognized them but have we? 

Rishikesh : Is it a Sacred place at all

Last month I went to Rishikesh with my office colleagues. I thought it’s going to be a great trip, as I love Mountains and water, and Rishikesh is a perfect combo of both. We booked a Volvo bus of Uttarakhand roadways and left on the Friday night from Delhi.

On the way to bus station we met some friends who were also coming with us on this trip. I didn’t know them as they were indirect friend.

I would like to mention that I don’t booze and don’t smoke and every time I feel uneasiness while there is a party going on at out flat. Party means Booze and cigarette not to mention.

So my first encounter with uneasiness was waiting to be happed on Delhi bus stand itself. One of those indirect friend came up with an Old monk bottle in hand. He was looking for space in my bag to put it as everyone had their baggage full. Once I thought to refuse as I felt very uncomfortable about having it in my bag, but then restrained myself from saying no and took the bottle.

We were about to enter bus station and there was a scanner machine and some security staff personals at front gate of entrance of terminal, I was screwed totally, I thought now I am going to be in big trouble. I told this to my friends and they said it should not be a problem, and I put that bag into scanner machine’s roller platform, it was rolling and my bag was about to get scanned anytime, and then I didn’t know what came into my mind and I run towards that bag and took it off from the platform and felt a bit relieved.

We had some girls in our group and there were two scanners, one for boys and one for girls.

I handed that bag to a female friend, and she took it with her and put that in their scanner, it took 5-6 seconds in the rolling platform, I was standing on other side and praying to god.  It came off in to other side, and I was a relieved man. We were very lucky that no one noticed it. So with this heart beat raising incident we started our journey.

We reached Rishikesh in the morning and tour operator arranged a pickup truck and we reached to the riverside camps. That camp was our home for next 3 days.

We did breakfast and headed for River rafting. It was a great experience, we were more in the water then the raft in the whole duration of the rafting. Only when there was a rapid (High flow of water due to rocks) about to begin, we switched from water to boat.

After this thrilling adventure, we returned to camp and had some rest. In evening I woke up and I saw a lot of tables and chairs were put in the middle of the camp with a camp fire in the middle. I was informed by friends that snack and tea will be served here, so I sat down on one chair.

After some time I could see that all chairs were full and there were many groups of boys and girls landed from different parts of India for vacation. I was shocked to see that, all the people were drinking and smoking and eating chicken. Even some boys where smoking joint. Not to mention that all girls and boys from my group were also doing the same.

I was just thinking one thing, what has happened to young generation of India? Drinking and smoking is the only way to have fun for them. They have come here in this holy place for adventures and doing all this. Even my friend insisted to me to have at least a beer. I politely refused.

This thing continued for remaining days, Even some people did nothing there expect boozing and smoking all the time. They should have chosen some pub or bar in some city rather than this holy place, if that’s all they care about. Ganga doesn’t deserve these people near its bank.

By the way, I wished to visit the famous temple of Rishikesh, but no one seemed interested.

I was feeling very sad from inside, I had some question in my mind. Are these people really future of India? How drinking has become the part of youth’s life? Why nothing else matters to them? These people laugh at me when I tell them that I don’t drink and smoke.

God please give some sense to these people.

Be Happy Always