A transgender woman has for the first time been appointed as the principal of a college in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, according to a top education official.
Manabi Banerjee will head the Krishnagar Women’s College, Dipak K Kar, chairman of an education panel that selects college principals in the state, said on Wednesday.
“She has been teaching in a college for more than 20 years, and had the necessary administrative experience. She was chosen through the usual selection process,” he said.
India’s transgender activists hailed the appointment as a proud day for a community that usually faces discrimination.
“This is a proud moment for us. It is great that people have begun accepting transgenders. Everybody should feel proud about this decision,” said Rudrani Chettri, director of Mitr Trust, a group working for transgender rights.
Last year, India’s Supreme Court declared the transgender community as a legal third gender, granting them minority rights and privileges to education, employment and health benefits.
Since then, some colleges have offered a choice in indicating their gender in application forms.
The college, located about 100km from the state capital, Kolkata, offers undergraduate courses in the sciences and humanities.
Source : Punch
Source : Punch
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