more-in Sreelechu, like many transgenders, has a way with make-up. Though not formally trained in beauty care, she has picked up a lot over the years and has even done make-up for children in school art festivals. Sreelechu is currently looking forward to a beautician training course planned for transgenders by the Social Justice Department in the hope she will be able to start her own establishment some day. The beautician training course will be conducted through an academy run by the Dhwayah Transgenders Arts and Charitable Society, a community-based organisation (CBO) of transgenders. The Social Justice Department will financially support the initiative. The three-month course, to be held in Ernakulam, will cover 100 transgenders who were selected on a first come, first served basis, sources said. The department plans to provide a fixed amount of money as stipend every month to the trainees. Social Justice Director Jafar Malik said the response to the proposal had been very positive, and a few names were in reserve too. “The course is being conducted by their own community-based organisation, which increases their trust in the initiative.” ?20.75 lakh The training for beaurty care s expected to start this month. The department has allocated ?20.75 lakh for the scheme. Training will be given in make-up, skincare, and hair styling, including that for celebrity and bridal make-up. Sreelechu, who, a few months ago, did the make-up for Karthika, a transgender who won an award for best make-up at a Chennai fashion event, says the beautician course and the certificate they will receive at the end of it will open more doors for her and other transgenders. A member of Dhwayah and Oasis, a CBO here in the city, Lechu attended a beautician course recently but did not gain much from it. The upcoming course, run by celebrity make-up artiste Renju Renjimar, would help them make something of their lives, she said.

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