Bengaluru: In a move that will help transgenders come to the mainstream, the Chhattisgarh police have recruited 13 of them as constables. 

“The results of the constable recruitment examination are out, and I congratulate everyone who qualified the examination. We have also recruited transgender people as constable for the first time and I personally congratulate them,” said Director General of Police, Chhattisgarh, DM Awasthi, as quoted by Hindustan Times. 

It is to be noted that, as stated by the website, hitherto, only 2 were recruited as constables in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. 

As expected, the ones selected could not hide their joy. 

"I am very happy today… I have no words to express my happiness. I and all my colleagues worked very hard for this exam. It was a rare opportunity for us which could change our lives, so everyone worked hard day and night,” said Krishna Tandi, a transgender who got selected.

It was a red-letter day in 2014 as the top court in the country recognised the third gender and decreed that they too have equal rights as any other. 

It was certainly not an easy thing for them to walk into the recruitment. Some of them, in their younger days, were humiliated for their sexual orientation. 

They were termed ‘Mamus’ and even teased. But they all withstood such persecution. Now, with tenacity of purpose, they have achieved big in life.

Finally, everything boils down to respect and acceptance in life.  

Komal Sahu, another successful candidate, called it the biggest day of her life.

“I never thought that I would get the job of respect but it happened,” she added. 

There are many social activists who are fighting for the rights of these people. 

With the Chhattisgarh police opening their  doors to these transgenders, it heralds a new chapter in their lives.