DREAM JOB: Vinodhini, the first transperson conductor of TNSTC, Coimbatore, is quite at ease with her task.
| Photo Credit: PERIASAMY M.
As the first transperson bus conductor appointed by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), Coimbatore, the joy of Vinodhini, a 25-year-old transperson, knows no bounds.Having been in the job for over a month now, there are reasons more than one for her sense of elation.“The job was one of allure since my childhood when I used to travel for long distances near Palani all through schooling. And, I am overwhelmed by the way passengers, and the society, at large, holds me in high esteem after securing the job; and the pride with which my mother, brother and sister-in-law appreciate my integration into mainstream society with self-confidence.”Looking back, Vinodhini is grateful to her family for standing with her all through after undergoing sex-reassignment surgery at the age of 16 years.For the last eight years or so, Vinodhini, who has been living with the transgender community at Selvapuram in the city, applied and secured the job of Conductor, as a Casual Labourer, at the behest of her mentors Subiksha and Soni under the aegis of My Society Trust.“I did have inhibitions before taking up the job, since I was looked down upon in the society, so far.But, now, when, passengers say ‘Akka ticket...’, I realise that a job secured through strenuous effort is nothing short of an equaliser, she says.“I am immensely thankful to the officials of TNSTC, Coimbatore, who reposed confidence in me.”As for the passengers, there’s nothing out of place. For, Vinodhini, owing to the inherent liking for the job, had grasped the mannerisms of a bus conductor long before.So, what next?“I am looking for permanency of my job in order that I play a catalyst role in bringing to fore scores of transpersons who are languishing despite being skillful in various traits,” Vinodhini said, adding: “I am trying to reach out to the State Ministers in the Western region to espouse my cause as also the imperative need for introducing horizontal reservation in jobs for transpersons before Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay,” Vinodhini said, emphasising:“Respect for transpersons will be a given if opportunities are created for respectable livelihood.” Published - September 01, 2026 07:29 pm IST
