Transgender Face of Congress: Can Apsara Reddy revive weakened Congress?

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January 9, 2019

Apsara Reddy, who has recently joined the Indian National Congress as the National General Secretary of the All India Mahila Congress (AIMC), is a transgender woman who has given new hopes to her community. An advocate of transgender’s rights, Reddy is the first transgender to hold such position in Congress. She was earlier associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the AIADMK. She was welcomed into India’s oldest party by party President Rahul Gandhi in the presence of Lok Sabha MP and AIMC chief Sushmita Dev on Tuesday.

Apsara Reddy is also a well-known transgender journalist and before stepping into transgender activism, she completed her graduation and post graduation in Journalism from Monash University and the City University, London.

While attacking the saffron party, Apsara said, “BJP government has this demeaning attitude towards the Transgender community. We don’t need altruism, we need assistance to bridge the inequality meted out to us for far too long.” “All my life, I have been told that you’ll never be able to make it in your life. To be welcomed into one of India’s largest and oldest national parties is hugely emotional for me,” said Apsara upon joining the Congress.

She further said, “Congress is truly a party that built India and sustained us for generations with good policy and a sensitive and inclusive approach in governance. The party President’s commitment to fair representation of women, women-centric manifesto goals and dynamism are truly inspiring and I would be delighted to serve women across the country under his leadership.”

Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi, renowned transgender activist and a spiritual leader told this newspaper, “This is one great example of bestowing equality to the community. We are ruling the spiritual spaces to the politics of India; many of us are highly educated and contributing a lot to the nation building. The change has already begun; soon you will see our community doing best in all means by giving up set monotonous ways of life.”

“If given a chance, I too will get into Indian politics because this is one powerful platform to do justice to the mankind and serve the community and nation,” she added.

Apsara Reddy, a former journalist, had joined the AIADMK party in May 2016. However, after Jayalalithaa’s death, she moved to the pro-Sasikala camp of the AIADMK.

Another activist from the transgender community, Disent Sahu, said, “This generation in the transgender community for a large period of their lifetime don’t realise that they are different than others and they have to fight for their rights. Inclusion of Apsara Reddy into mainstream society can be highly positive for their future. She can be a role model!”

Before joining the AIADMK, she also had a brief stint with the BJP but the conservative approach of the party did not allow her to sustain with them. Explaining her reasons for leaving the BJP, the activist complained that she was just a “photo opportunity” for the party on Women’s Day. Apsara is probably the only trans personality to head several national newspapers across the world. Born a boy, Apsara later transitioned to be a woman. She has a degree in Broadcast Journalism with specialisation in Investigative Journalism.

Transgender activist Vidya Rajput asserted, “We are very happy that Apsara Reddy has been appointed into India’s oldest national political party. With this big step, we expect that Reddy will become an ideal for the community in coming time. Many transgenders in our society spend their lives begging or being a sex worker; however, Reddy’s contribution in mainstream politics,will be noteworthy for many.”

“Even today, there are many transgenders who want to be a part of the mainstream world, but they don’t get the right platform. With my NGO, I am trying to work towards the welfare of our community and have been successful in the cause. We hope that the society will now start accepting us wholeheartedly. Not only male or female, but the third gender can also be a part of the national politics and the community can get a reservation for its development,” Rajput added.

“Seeing Apsara Reddy in such a reverent post is a matter of pride for us. Reddy is now one of the front-runners of the Congress party and we expect her to be our voice and work towards the welfare of the transgender community. We don’t get work in the society. We request the government to come up with policies, build colleges, help the students and the senior citizens to help our community to come forward and survive in the society with dignity,” Santosh, a transgender from Thane spoke to AV.

Transgender activist Kanchan expressed, “This is the first time that a national party has appointed a transgender in such a relevant post. All other national parties should also follow the path and include us into the mainstream field. While the Election Commission has no different column for the third gender in its nomination form, whenever a transgender fights in the election, voters trust us that we can work for the welfare of the citizens.”

In the similar tone with Kanchan, transgender Mayuri from Kolhapur said, “This is applaudable that Congress took the decision to join hands with Apsara Reddy though I feel sad that the society took so long to accept our community. Every party and even Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha must have representatives from the transgender community as we would be the best to voice for our rights.”

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

Life beyond Gender: Ajay to Apsara, a Titanic Journey

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Vaidehi Taman

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January 9, 2019

She was born as Ajay Reddy who always wanted to be a girl from a very young age. Her father Ramesh Reddy is from a very well-educated family from Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh. Her mother Anuradha Reddy hails from a well-read and well-travelled family and is responsible for grooming her to be the person she is today. Her grandfather Gopalkrishna Reddy was a very generous man who left all his property to his grandchild Ajay then and now Apsara.

While her mother’s side looked after her very well, her dad’s side was not that receptive. Her father was an alcoholic and he used to constantly have issues with her mother and this transgender child. Her father lived only for himself but her mother created a parallel happy life without him. Being a rebellious teenager and a strong-minded person, Apsara always tried to stay away from him.

She studied at Sishya, a prestigious school in Chennai. However, children too can be cruel at times. At school, they used to call her by names, the boys would avoid her, or say harsh things like she was girlie, or use nasty words to describe her. In spite of all the odds around, she topped in her ICSE exams and subsequently, at Lady Andal, which was a state board, in the commerce stream.

As a confident person, she always lived on her terms making her way to what she wanted. At the age of 13, she surfed through Google about a boy wanting to be a girl and found out about the transgender sex and hormone changes. She was determined to go through with it.

Thereafter, she went to Australia to pursue her Bachelors in Broadcast Journalism with a specialisation in Investigative Journalism. Alongside, ‘The Hindu’, a well-known publication of India, too gave her an opportunity to write for them. For the newspaper, she interviewed eminent personalities including Nicolas Cage, AR Rahman, Michael Schumacher, and Rubens Barrichello. She also wrote for the ‘Bharat Times’ in Australia and worked with the Indian Consulate. Later on, she worked as a media advisor to Consul General Dr. TJ Rao and that’s how she got the opportunity to meet Jagdish Tytler and interviewed Prime Minister John Howard there.

In Australia, she found a great set of friends who were nonjudgmental and a whole new life opened up for her. There she met a beautiful transsexual woman called Jacinta who guided her about gender counsellors. In Australia, insurance covers all kinds of medical problems including hormone therapies, tablets, and gender counsellors. So, she approached a gender counsellor and simultaneously began my hormone therapy.

After a year, she finally told her parents about her sexual orientation. After all the challenges and discomfort, her mother stood by her in every decision.

After three months, she got her scholarship to the City University of London to study International Journalism with a focus on Developmental Economics. There she worked for the BBC World Service Radio as news and current affairs RJ. Quickly she started becoming a voice for the local trans-woman for the transgender Asian community. She was also a part of a Pakistani group called Himmat that lobbied against forced marriage in the UK. A lot of Pakistani gays and lesbians in the UK were forcibly taken back to Pakistan and a lot of honour killings took place.

Thereafter, she was chosen as the Asian ambassador for the London Mayor’s Gay Asian Float. She worked with Scotland Yard to help people report rape in the transgender community. No one listens to a transgender woman because they think you are different and out there only for sex. She also worked with a Melbourne-based radio station called Joy Melbourne, which was a gay, transgender, and lesbian radio station. Meanwhile, she also did a current affairs show at the BBC, after which she worked with the Commonwealth Secretariat in the Communications and Public Affairs Department to talk about the so-called taboo subjects like sex, HIV, condoms, and all that.

After her stint in London, she came back to India and started working at ‘The Indian Express’ newspaper as a Features Editor and had a successful column. Being in the press, changed everything for her. Then she was offered a very senior job at ‘Deccan Chronicle’ as the Features Editor first and then promoted to the post of the Senior Editor. She was handling supplements there. While working with the ‘Deccan Chronicle’, she met many powerful politicians. Her work opened up new dimensions when she did a TV show called ‘Natpudan Apsara’ on Thandi Network. After that, she was unstoppable and she achieved many things that she wanted. The journey was tough but there were also high points. Jaguar awarded her the Women’s Excellence Award in 2012. She tried her hands in politics by being a party worker of many political parties, finally got a plum post in Congress. Hereafter, interesting to see is that who elevates whom, the Congress will elevate Apsara or Apsara will add something to the sinking Congress by changing its fate!

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

Career in Diagnostics: A Surging job opportunity by 2020

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Web Team

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January 9, 2019

Healthcare industry is one of India’s vastly expanding sectors in terms of economy, and anyone in pursuit of a fulfilling career has more than just a chance to establish themselves in it. The industry basically deals with hospitals, diagnostics, medical devices, and medical tourism. Though Indian healthcare is showing an exponential growth, the scope of development is yet to be explored.

Students at the doorstep of their career should be aware that how big and diverse this field will be by the end of 2020. And with more private players coming forward with better public – private partnerships, this field is estimated to grow at a compound annual rate of 25% during this 5 year tenure.

Many students are confused with what to opt for after completing their graduation- whether to go for low salary job or pursue further studies. Majority of them do their post graduation to get a decent job. Diagnostics is one such segment in the field of healthcare management that has brilliant prospects in job environment and a profitable career option. Besides getting lucrative remunerations, this also helps to achieve the goal of service to mankind.

Healthcare operates in various segments of which the diagnostics segment is at a boom. Pathology, the type of diagnosis of human diseases by laboratory methods has open scope in areas either as a diagnostician, teacher or an investigator. Pathologists in clinical laboratories practice as consultant physicians, to analyse the laboratory reports for better diagnosis and treatment of a patient.

Another field of diagnosis is radiology that deals with diagnosing and treating diseases with medical imaging techniques. With the increasing demand for radiologists in India, this field ensures a better career path and the occupation is expected to grow faster than any other. A radiology technician has an option to work as ultrasound technician, X-ray technician, MRI technician, CT technician and medical professional. With an immediate and sustainable demand for technologists in hospitals, clinics, and physicians’ offices, the field of radiography continue to show higher than average job growth into the future.

Job scenario for those planning to start their careers in radiology are expected to remain high, particularly for those interested in working for general medical and surgical hospitals. Radiation technicians can work in urgent care facilities, clinics, equipment sales, and private offices.

Radiologic technology is a fascinating subject to study which in addition to providing certificate to work in the state of residence, also prepares a career in healthcare industry that s challenging, important and gratifying. Being one of the heart warming jobs, position of a radiologist holds 15th rank among the best jobs in this industry and considered one of the smartest choices to opt for.

According to IBEF, the overall healthcare market is worth $ 100 billion and is expected to reach 280 billion by 2020. The Indian medical tourism will reach $ 10 billion with 2 times growth in health care IT market is expected by 2020. The data promises to provide a huge boost in generating employment opportunities in the upcoming years in the field of healthcare management.

With several big investments being made in this sector, the functioning of the industry has become more professional, organised and efficient. Besides the urgent need for trained doctors and nursing staff, efficient management is required in various measures of the field.

As far as job opportunities are concerned, diagnostic management professionals are required not only in hospitals and clinics, but also in healthcare NGOs, hospital consultancy companies and IT industry involved in developing software and imaging equipments. IT firms like Dell, Accenture, Delloite etc hire such professionals. In case of a fresher, who has no work experience, the industry hires them as technicians and with the training and experience gained they will reach the zenith within few years.

Looking for future experts, lack of talent is currently a drawback. The industry is growing at a swift rate, though the talent still is lagging. To nurture today’s talent for a long term with focus on quality, opens up scope for many. Being a young industry open in the market, the learning curve will definitely be sharp and the talent will be nurtured to withhold greater responsibilities at a younger age. The industry is trying to seek out people who have a high moral purpose, eager to learn and lead. This will create an impact in advancing in the healthcare world by providing promising opportunities that will reshape and redefine it.

With the growing science and technology, use of medical apps have been on a rise and made IT considerably more understanding. The role of a technician has undergone a major change over the past decade. Most modern hospitals and healthcare establishments’ are in requirement of experienced technicians and radio-interventionist equipped with multi-disciplinary skills.

The healthcare industry desires a skilled workforce of professionals involved in research, market shaping and development and most importantly customer centric roles. India is the potential place to attract healthcare industry with its highly skilled specialised workforce.

(The author of the article is the Founder and CEO of 3hcare.in)

By-C.A. (Dr.) Ruchi Gupta

Will “bury” BJP: Maharashtra Environment Minister from Shiv Sena

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Web Team

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January 9, 2019

Days after BJP chief Amit Shah’s remarks that his party will thrash former allies if a pre-poll alliance did not materialise ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, senior Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam has threatened to “bury” the BJP.

Kadam, whose party is currently an ally of the ruling BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra, also noted that the Sena had won 63 seats, out of the total 288, in the 2014 state Assembly polls despite the ‘Modi wave’.

“They (BJP) have already lost elections miserably in five states. Don’t come to Maharashtra and threaten us or we will bury you. Don’t forget that we won 63 seats despite the (Modi) wave,” Kadam, who is a minister in the Maharashtra government, told reporters on Tuesday evening.

In a veiled warning to the Sena, Shah had said on Sunday that if an alliance happened, the BJP will ensure victory for its allies, but if it did not, the party will thrash its former allies in the coming Lok Sabha polls.

Asked about the central government’s bill to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education for the general category poor, Kadam said there is already quota for the Marathas, Dhangars and Muslims. “Then how will they give further reservation to everybody? Are these decisions being taken in view of the elections?” he asked.

Dhangars, who are included in the Vimukt Jati Nomadic Tribe (VJNT) category, have been demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for long.

The Lok Sabha had on Tuesday passed the bill to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education for the general category poor with most parties backing the proposed legislation, described by the government as “historic” and in the country’s interest.

The Opposition, including the Congress, had dubbed the proposed law as a political gimmick that may not stand judicial scrutiny but came around to support it during voting, underlining the huge political import of the measure aimed at placating upper castes.

Consider stable tenure while deciding DGP’s extension: Bombay HC

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Web Team

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January 9, 2019

The Bombay High Court directed the Centre on Wednesday to take a reasoned decision on whether the tenure of Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) Dattatray Padsalgikar needed to be extended. Padsalgikar, who has been granted two short extensions of three months each in the past, will complete his tenure as DGP on February 28.

The state’s proposal to grant him further extension, to enable him to serve as DGP for at least two years, is pending before the Union government.

A bench of Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice N M Jamdar questioned the Centre’s decision to grant him short- term extensions. They said that considering the nature of a DGP’s job and his seniority, it is important the officer has a stable tenure.

The High Court also noted that a previous judgement of the Supreme Court on a similar issue of extension of tenure suggested that senior bureaucrats should serve in one post for at least two years to grant them some stability, and to enable them to take and implement decisions.

“What is the purpose of such short extensions? What will an officer do in three months? Your DGP does not know whether he is going to be there next month, so how can he plan anything for the state,” it asked.

The bench was hearing a plea filed by Thane-based lawyer RR Tripathi, claiming that the state had “shown favouritism” towards Padsalgikar by granting him such extensions of tenure.

Padsalgikar was due to retire on August 31 last year but was granted an extension of service for three months at that time. On November 30 last year, the Chief Minister granted another three months’ extension to him. Both times, the Maharashtra government had urged the Centre to grant the extension for up to two years.

On Wednesday, both the Centre and the state, through their counsels, Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh and Advocate General Ashtosh Kumbhakoni respectively, opposed the PIL.

Both the lawyers urged the court to dismiss the PIL arguing that the decision to grant an extension to Padsalgikar had been taken in “public interest”.

Kumbhakoni told the High Court that the state was only trying to ensure that he served at least for two years as DGP, and as a consequence, police commissioner Subodh Jaiswal, the senior-most officer in the state after Padsalgikar, also served as the commissioner for at least two years.

He also told the court that the state had decided to ask the Centre for a clear answer on whether or not Padsalgikar was going to be granted a longer extension.

“If the Centre says no, then as per procedure, we will ask the Maharashtra government and Union Public Service Commission to intervene, and if we don’t get any relief there, then as per procedure, the officer next in line for the post will be made DGP,” Kumbhakoni said.

At this, the bench directed the Centre to take a decision on Padsalgikar’s tenure within the next four weeks.

“We understand such decisions need time and you must give it much thought. Go through all requirements but keep in mind that a senior officer must be granted a stable tenure. Therefore, take a decision, back it with good reason,” the bench said.

Maharashtra: Businessman hurt in robbery bid

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Web Team

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January 9, 2019

A businessman was shot at and injured allegedly by two motorcycle-borne men in a failed robbery bid near his house in Dahanu in Palghar district of Maharashtra, police said Wednesday.

The incident occurred on Tuesday night in Buddhadev Nagar locality in Dahanu, around 135 kms from here, when Bhavesh Desai (54) was walking to his residence with a bag containing Rs 3 lakh in cash, he said.

Desai was followed for some distance by the robbers riding a motorcycle before they tried to snatch his bag, a police official said.

When Desai resisted and held on to the bag, one of the assailants shot at him and sprayed some chemical while fleeing the spot, the official said, adding that the bullet grazed Desai’s stomach.

Desai was rushed to hospital by loal people, the official said, adding that he is out of danger.

2 arrested with endangered pangolin worth Rs 40 lakh

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Web Team

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January 9, 2019

Two men were arrested on Tuesday and an endangered pangolin worth around Rs. 40 lakh in the illegal wildlife market was recovered from them in Maharashtra’s Thane district.

Senior police officer Deepak Deoraj said the two men – Virar-resident Sagar Pawar (33) and Abdul Jalil Yunus Mahamrut (54) of Raigad – were picked up on a tip off from Mumbra-Panvel Highway.

A case under the Wildlife Protection Act has been registered, he added.

Pangolin scales are used in traditional Asian medicine, particularly in China and Vietnam.

The animal’s scales are made of keratin, the same material that makes human fingernails and hair, and they have no proven medicinal value, and are also used as jewellery and decorations for rituals.

Pangolin meat is also considered a delicacy in some countries.

Two species of pangolins, ”Manis crassicaudata” and ”Manis pentadacytla”, found in India have been accorded highest protection with both being listed on Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Congress, NCP leaders to criss-cross Maharashtra ahead of LS polls

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Web Team

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January 9, 2019

Aiming to halt the ruling BJP’s juggernaut in the 2019 general polls, the opposition Congress and NCP would undertake separate mass contact programmes in Maharashtra from Thursday to highlight “failures” of the central and state governments.

NCP leaders have planned to visit parts of Konkan region, including Raigad, Thane and Palghar districts, besides Navi Mumbai, under the ‘Parivartan Yatra’ programme till January ..

The tour would begin with party leaders visiting the Raigad Fort followed by two rallies at Mahad (Raigad district) and Guhagar (Ratnagiri) on Thursday.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar will attend both the rallies along with other senior leaders like Ajit Pawar, party’s Maharashtra unit chief Jayant Patil, general secretary Sunil Tatkare and others.

Former chief minister Ashok Chavan will lead Congress’ ‘Jan Sangharsh Yatra’ to cover parts of Vidarbha, including Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Cha ..

This would be the party’s fifth leg of its tour in the state.

Senior Congress leaders Prithviraj Chavan, Leader of the Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe- Patil and others will also be a part of the yatra, the party said in a statement.

“People are fed up of these governments. They are now seeking a parivartan (change) in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections and Assembly polls in Maharashtra,” NCP’s national spokesperson Nawab Malik said.

Another NCP leader Sanjay Tatkare said the party’s tour will highlight “failures” of the central and state governments.

Both the Congress and NCP had suffered a drubbing at the hands of the Narendra Modi-led resurgent BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, winning only two and four parliamentary seats respectively.

The Congress had won Nanded and Hingoli seats, represented by Ashok Chavan and Rajeev Satav respectively.

The NCP had emerged victorious in Baramati (represented by Supriya Sule), Kolhapur (Dhananjay Mahadik), Madha (Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil) and Satara (Udayanraje Bhosale).

Madhukar Kukde became NCP’s fifth parliamentarian after winning the Bhandara-Gondia bypoll in May last year.

The Congress and NCP are currently holding talks with other anti-BJP parties to share 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.

According to sources, both the opposition parties reached a consensus on sharing 20 seats each, but a decision was yet to taken on the remaining eight constituencies.

“Both the parties want to accommodate like-minded parties. Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Pawar saheb will give a final shape to seat-sharing later this month,” a NCP leader said.

Amid Sahgal invite row, Marathi literature body’s chief quits

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Web Team

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January 9, 2019

The president of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal, Shripad Joshi, resigned on Wednesday.

The resignation came amid a controversy over withdrawal of invitation to writer Nayantara Sahgal for the annual Marathi literary meet by the event’s organisers.

Opposition parties in Maharashtra have alleged that the invitation was cancelled at the behest of the ruling BJP.

The 92nd All-India Marathi Literary Meet (‘Sahitya Sammelan’), held every year under the aegis of the Mahamandal, is to start at Yavatmal in eastern Maharashtra on January 11.

Secretary of the Mahamandal Dr Indrajit Oraker said Joshi sent the resignation to the president of the Vidarbha Sahitya Sangh. Joshi himself was not available for comments.

The organisers of the literary meet rescinded their invite to Sahgal, a noted Indian English writer, after protests on January 6.

Sahgal was to inaugurate the meet.

The Mahamandal, which is an umbrella body of Marathi literary organisations, had said the decision to withdraw the invitation was taken by the organisers and it had nothing to do with it.

The Shiv Sena had claimed that the invitation was rescinded after the organisers learnt about Sahgal’s intent to speak on issues such as violence by cow vigilantes and lynchings.

Sahgal was at the forefront of the ‘award-wapsi’ (returning of awards) campaign earlier. She was to inaugurate the literary meet in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Meanwhile, secretary of the organizing committee Dhanshyam Dharne said a meeting of the executive committee of the Mahamandal will be held on Thursday, where it will be decided who will inaugurate the meet.

Sahgal had said that even if a fresh invitation was sent to her, she would decline it.

Major fire in under-construction Nagpur hospital; none hurt

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Web Team

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January 9, 2019

A major fire occurred on Wednesday in an under-construction hospital building located in a residential area close to the Nagpur railway station, officials said.

No casualties have been reported so far but one person was admitted to a nearby hospital for inhalation of smoke.

A major tragedy was averted as labourers working inside the under-construction building rushed out using staircases immediately after the blaze erupted, a Fire official said.

Though he didn’t specify the exact number of workers present in the building at the time of the incident, eye-witnesses said around 300 labourers were inside.

The blaze occurred in the third floor of the ten-storey building at around 2 PM when interior works were underway, said Nagpur Municipal Corporation fire officer Rajendra Uchke.

It didn’t spread to upper floors.

After the fire broke out, eight labourers got stuck inside due to heavy smoke for some time before they were rescued by fire personnel, he said.

“No casualty has been reported so far. One person was admitted to hospital for inhaling excessive smoke,” he said.

Uchke said the building interior work was going on when the fire started from the third floor auditorium where chairs were being fixed.

He said sparks from welding might have triggered the blaze.

A total of eight fire tenders were pressed into service for dousing fire. Meanwhile, as thick smoke enveloped the area, staffers of a high school adjacent to the building evacuated students as a precautionary measure.

Residents of nearby residential buildings also rushed out as smoke billowed out from the third floor of the under-construction building.

The flames were put out completely at around 3:30 PM.