Berhampur: In order to uplift the transgender community and bring them back to the mainstream of society, a shoe-making training programme was launched at Biju Patnaik Kalyan Mandap here Wednesday.
A first of its kind initiative, the programme was launched by the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) in association with Deendayal Upadhyay National Urban Livlihood Mission and State Urban Development Authority.
Three self help groups comprising 26 transgender from ward no-24 and 35 have been formed for this purpose.
In spite of the transsexuals being recognised by the constitution as the third gender, their status is still of a minority community and they have not achieved equal status in society at large. With an aim to change the norm and give them self reliance, the progrmme has been designed, a BMC official said.
BMC commissioner Chakraborty Singh Rathore inaugurated the programme.
In the two-month training programme, registered transgenders will be trained on how to make shoes, market them and ultimately garner profit.
The training camp will function under the supervision of community organisers Smita Das and Kuni Patra, coordinator Prem Footwear, Kolkata and Wasim Khan who will impart them training.
BMC has provided shoe-vending machines worth Rs 2 lakh for the training facilities. After completion of the training, loan facility will be made available to participants to start their own unit, BMC sources said.
PNN