Beauty pageants are common but what is uncommon is a Transgender Beauty Pageant, that too at all India level. For the first time in India, it took place in Gurugram August 26th 2017(Sunday). Kolkata’s Nitasha Biswas won the All India Transgender Beauty Pageant contest. Orissa POST Correspondent Chaitali Shome had a detailed conversation with the winner.
Q Tell us something about yourself?
Nitasha – Well, I am a resident of Tollygunge in Kolkata. I was born November 20, 1992. My parents are father Bimal Kumar Biswas and mother (late) Meenati Biswas.
Q What about your education?
Nitasha – I am a student of St. Xaviers. Currently I am pursuing my Masters in Business Management in Kolkata.
Q How were your childhood days?
Nitasha – I lost my mother when I was studying in Standard VI. That was a big loss for me. From my childhood days, I could sense that I am trapped in a boy’s body.
Q So, how you managed?
Nitasha – Well, initially, when I talked to my father regarding it, he was furious. It wasn’t easy, but I kept on telling him that I am a transgender and an incarnation of my late mother.
Q So, when did you have the operation?
Nitasha -I waited a long time till I am 20-year-old. Finally, my father was convinced and I went to New Delhi for the operation. I faced great opposition from my father who stopped talking to me for seven months at a stretch.
Q- What about your other family members, how they reacted? Nitasha – My grandmother reacted very sharply and called me diverse names. I was hurt by her. Other family members also humiliated me.
Q- Any negative thoughts that crossed your mind?
Nitasha –Yes. Like any normal human being I was severely depressed, but I fought back with my pains and I decided to come back stronger.
Q- How was the period of transformation?
Nitasha – It was tough for me and a lonely time for me as none came forward to understand my pain. I stopped going out and I was into heavy counselling.
Q What was your reaction when you saw your transformation?
Nitasha -I was spellbound and my happiness knew no bounds. I was pretty confident that I will win in every sphere of my life. My father was very happy too.
Q How many contestants were there in the hunt for the crown at the All India Transgender Beauty Pageant?
Nitasha – Well, you won’t believe but there were 1600 applicants for this competition. It was a
tough fight.
QHow did you feel when your name was declared as a winner?
Nitasha – Trust me, I was spellbound, shocked and at the moment of crowning, my whole life was before me. I could feel the applause, the crowd cheering for me and the tears that were rolling out.
Q When will the International Pageant take place?
Nitasha – Well, the pageant will take place in the month of March 2018 in Thailand and I am going to represent India, such a proud moment for me.
Q-Any government support for you?
Nitasha – No, none at all, but my friends are telling me to write to the government to help people like me.
Q What is your favourite pass- time?
Nitasha – Oh, I love reading books, especially all the fashion magazines as I am a fashionable lady.
Q What are your future dreams?
Nitasha -Well, I would like to join politics as an MP and to serve the minorities, the TG community , small children, and older people.
Q What’s your message to the transgender community?
Nitasha –Don’t be disheartened, problems will come, but you have to face it and walk miles ahead of it towards a new future. Stay united and rise in life.
