Kolhapur Disaster Management Cell in Maharashtra has recruited ten transwomen forming a rescue team under the programme “Friends in Disaster”. The disaster management cell of the State government has claimed that it is the first such initiative in the State.The cell conducted a three-day training workshop from May 26-28, providing practical knowledge on operating boats and rescue methods. The authorities aimed to involve members of transgender community as they are “physically strong and hold feminine sensibility”, which are important aspects in rescue operations. As part of the “friends in disaster” initiative, 10 transwomen associated with the Kolhapur-based Maitri NGO were appointed after rigorous training, including rescue swimming, dry and wet lifesaving, motorboat operation, Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) operation, outboard motor maintenance, and use of First Aid and CPR.Transgenders look for education, employment through government initiatives“The members of the transgender community supported the government during COVID, volunteered, and reached out to people with relief aid. We have been making efforts to bring transwomen into rescue work since 2023; finally, we got some success,” said District Disaster Management Officer Prasad Sankpal. The team includes Chief of Maitri NGO, Mayuri Alvekar, Shivani Gajbize, Zoya Dinni, Sulabha, Vaishali, Mogra, Suhasini, and others.Mayuri Alwekar (42), who runs a fair price ration shop in Kolhapur, mobilised the other transwomen from the community and associated with her NGO. “Initially, during COVID, I faced first-hand discrimination. At first, people did not see me as a rescuer, but later, moving in that brought some recognition. So, if I keep working in the public sphere, be of some help to the society, the existence of transgender community can be normalised,” said Mayuri. The final practical was taken at the Rajaram Lake in Kolhapur. Similar to Mayuri, Suhasini Devmane (36) also joined the rescue team under Disaster Management Cell to help people as she knows “what it is to feel vulnerable’ and change people’s perspective towards the community. “People see us beggars or sexworkers, I want them to see us in a different role,” said Suhasini, a tourist guide in Kolhapur, who aspires to crack the Destination Tourist Guide Programme of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). Kolhapur has a history of flash floods as it is located in the Krishna River basin in Western Maharashtra. It houses powerful rivers, including Panchaganga, Bhogavati, Dudhganga, Warna, and Hiranyakeshi, which make certain regions of Kolhapur flood-prone. In the last three decades, Kolhapur witnessed five floods- 2005, 2006, 2019, 2021, and 2024. Given the scenario, the Disaster Management Cell during the monsoon is always on alert, preparing for uncertainties. According to the Kolhapur administration, Kolhapur is also the first to form the Apda Sakhi team (an all-female rescue team) in 2019. Mr. Sankpal said, “The all-female team has been active since 2019 and undertook several rescue operations.” Published - May 30, 2026 09:04 am IST