JAIPUR: If skills provide a level-playing field, transgenders can now aspire to be a part of the mainstream, thanks to a training programme being planned by two government departments.The social justice and empowerment department has earmarked some short-term courses for them with an aim to provide alternate livelihood opportunities. The courses short-listed for them are beauty therapist, front office management in hospitality sector, hair dressers etc.The disciplines have been introduced in collaboration with the RSLDC, which has agreed to provide skills trainings at the places of their concentration."Either the Rajasthan Transgender Welfare Board (RTWB) can help us in identifying places for training or we are ready to set up a makeshift training centre at places where they live. The idea is to offer them the ease of time and place so that we can reach to maximum number of members in the community," said Rajesh Yadav, secretary, department of skills, employment and entrepreneurship, Rajasthan.The state election commission data for 2013 shows that state has 12,000 transgenders divided in seven Akharas (seat or cult) in Ajmer , Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota. Jaipur has one Akhara with 300 transgenders registered with them. They follow Guru-Shishya tradition or hierarchy system.Most of these community members are engaged in the traditional practice of singing and dancing at family functions, fairs and festivals.The skill trainers have been given special orientation sessions for them to get acquainted with the community. RSLDC is inviting companies to hire the trainees. However, finding jobs might not easy due to the prevalent taboos. But RSLDC expects to encourage students to start their own ventures. "The department is ready to arrange funds for setting up micro-enterprises to make them selfemployable," said Yadav.In order to make the courses popular, the RTWB has been asked to conduct a survey of the transgender community to get an estimate of those falling in the age group of 15 to 35. They will be reached out for the training. In the second phase, the RSLDC has planned to impart skill training in cooking, leather products and jewellery design.The enrolment under the scheme runs on Aadhaarbased verification system for registration and attendance. Since most of the transgenders do not have Aadhaar cards due to migration from one place to another, the RSLDC has decided to exempt them from Aadhaar basedverification for some period. On a pilot basis, the RSLDC had trained some transgenders in general batches and one of them has been hired at the saloon as beauty therapist.

Stay updated with all the Latest Jodhpur headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.