A millet-based initiative set to empower livelihoods of transgenders

A millet-based initiative set to empower livelihoods of transgenders

To improve and enhance the livelihood of transgenders, the Transgender Resource Centre in Madurai has launched ‘Natraniyam Natural Food and Snacks’, wherein millet-based laddus are being prepared and sold. This follows the success of the ‘Trans Kitchen’ initiative that has been running for several years.

This initiative by the transgender community members hopes to promote sustainable livelihood and encourage consumption of healthy foods.

Priya Babu, managing director of the Transgender Resource Centre, Madurai, said that this project to produce millet-based snacks had been in the works for the past six months. “With the support of Omega Forum Social Impact, we have now given shape to this idea,” she said.

“To prepare these products, we provided training for the transgenders with the help of G. Sarojini, a millet trainer from Mapillai Selvathaniyam Foods and Snacks,” she said.

“Currently, five transgender persons are involved in preparing and selling the millet-based snacks. We also have a separate online platform for marketing the products. As it is a new start-up, for now we are selling them among people known to us,” she said.

G. Sarojini said that the trainees were given hands-on sessions for about six to seven days.