Caught in Traffic

Disclaimer: I am not a social worker, not even close. I maybe a dormant philanthropist, but that’s about it

Yet there are ideas I completely believe in.

Equality, Indiscrimination and the Singular Power of Education


On my way to work, few are the days, when me or anyone of my unfortunate colleagues, do not get thoroughly walked all over by an eunuch beggar. While they curse, abuse, harass, push, pull all over our early morning freshness, most of us, are willing to pay them anything, to avoid public humiliation.

This is the very reason eunuchs (or men dressed as one) have single handedly conquered the traffic stops in Bangalore.

Their overt sexuality, uninhibiting ways and harassing persuasion definitely gains an upper hand over sympathy which a blind or physically handicapped can ever generate

I however, have recently overcome the discomfort they put me in, and have decided not to bend down to their harassment ,public humiliation or otherwise.

They seem healthy enough to earn their own living.

Or Are they?

Why is that I have never met a eunuch in person in my day to day life. Not in school, not in college, not at work. Not even as a domestic help ( I think they would make great ones, if given the chance) .

So does it mean that we as a society have refused to give them any place other the streets?

Does being born with a confused sexuality lead them to a life of begging or prostitution? Or is it that they chose the easy way around. Most of them are towering and seemingly healthy people, with intelligent tricks up their sleeve. While I see blind, deaf and physically handicapped people working in my office or leading seemingly normal lives, why cant they?

I am sure, their mental stamina,capabilities or talent are not affected by any physical deformity. Has our society shunned these unfortunate people?

Is there anything we can do to rehabilitate them in the society? I agree begging is easy money, but is it?

If they have the means for education and can be accepted in spite of their seemingly incoherent voice and looks, cant they function as normal individuals?

Even though it’s been 50 years since independence, our “reservations” are still highly caste based, which as I see is non existent. Can we by any chance, get a reservation in place for eunuchs, not just for public office, but essentially for education ?

The Govt or the NGO’s can do what they have to, but the core change to be bought is in the mindset of the common man. How many of us can be liberal enough to actually tolerate a queer person in our immediate neighborhood?

Me thinks, this is what needs to be done

1. Humans are adaptive! Period. In the same way we get used to a blind colleague or a wheel chair clad neighbor, we will get used to eunuchs. Seeing them every morning should have already tuned our minds

2. Reservation of atleast one or two seats for them in colleges and schools

3. If required special schools in place for people identified as eunuchs

4. Once educated they shouldn’t be discriminated or favored for employment

5. Programs of self sufficiency

There is no word of caution for a distraught family who cannot accept their child as imperfect. There might be families who disown their children, once they are recognized to be queer. But if the families chose to disown them, at least they should have a safe cultured society to accept them.

With their undiverted energy,they can sure become an intelligent workforce for any country instead of wasting away on streets. And what do we get in return?

Peaceful travel to our workplace and fresher mornings.