UID Project has given the status of ‘Third Gender’ to the transgender community. Puducherry has become the first state to recognize this community which otherwise gets squeezed into either ‘male’ or ‘female’ category depending upon the whims of the enumerator. The community considers it is important that they get an identity, as often they are unable to get benefits under various Govt. schemes since the govt. officials are not able to classify these persons under appropriate gender. For example, Sheethal, one of the community members, could not get a ration card despite her herself working in the state’s food & civil supplies department.
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