Congratulations to Akkai for getting this honour. I hope the judges who are deciding the 377 case take note! As it happens, in addition to all her other excellent work, Akkai helped recruit the mothers of two Bangalore based transgenders to sign the parents petition that we filed in the Supreme Court.
fromTimes of India: Bangalore transgender invited for CJI's swearing-inSaswati Mukherjee, BANGALORE: It's a proud moment for Akkai Padmashali, the 29-year-old transgender from Bangalore. On Saturday, she will become the first from her community to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Altamas Kabir as Chief Justice of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. "I am very happy," said Akkai, unable to conceal her excitement. Justice Kabir's office has invited her for the function. The programme manager of Sangama, the human rights organization which works for the welfare of transgenders, is glad that for the first time the community has been recognized and invited to such a high-profile event. "Justice Kabir has been very supportive. Hopefully, such initiatives will be carried forward from here," said Akkai. Born and raised in Bangalore, Akkai attended school till class X. Thereafter, there was no provision for her to continue studies as she was ostracized from society. In February this year, Akkai participated in an internal governmental high-level commission and millennium development goals meeting organized by UNESCAP in Bangkok. Attended by the likes of the President of Fiji and Thailand deputy prime minister among others, Akkai put forth her views at the forum. "I voiced my opinion on how transgenders must be given provisions to own a ration card and voter ID card, as well as access to education and housing in the state," said Akkai. Akkai is also glad that she happens to be in Karnataka. "It is such a progressive state," she said, referring to the high court's landmark decision to appoint a transgender as an employee. But there is one issue which bothers Akkai. "In 2010, the state government recognized the gender minority community and said its rights will be protected, but nothing concrete has been done even two years down the line," she said.
