IMPHAL: In a first for events organised in the northeast, the state tourism department has assured that it will set up separate toilets for the transgender community at the Sangai Festival , the 10-day state-sponsored cultural extravaganza which will begin on Tuesday.President Ram Nath Kovind will inaugurate the festival, which will showcase the state's rich cultural heritage and unique entertainment forms. Over 50,000 people, including national leaders, policy makers, industry experts, business delegates, exhibitors and tourists, from over 20 countries are expected to attend the festival.Santa Khurai, a trans activist, said a proposal to provide separate toilets for transgenders during the Sangai Festival was placed before the state tourism department because of the difficulties faced by the community in accessing public toilets, which has been accepted."As an initial step, the availability of separate toilets for the transgender community in the Sangai Festival will create awareness on the difficulties and consequences faced by members of our community due to the non-availability of separate toilets," Santa said."We are grateful to the Manipur tourism department for accepting our proposal. This is the first time that separate toilets for our community has been assured during a festival in the northeast. After Sangai, we will pursue the state government for opening the same at all public toilets across Manipur," Santa told TOI.

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