First transwoman TTE of Southern Railway gets posted in Dindigul

Sindhu Ganapathy, the first transwoman TTE of Southern Railway, shares her journey of acceptance and the need for better opportunities for transgenders.

Sindhu Ganapathy (37) has emerged as the first transwoman Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) of Southern Railway.

For G. Sindhan, who had joined the Railways as a male employee in 2003 life was easy-going initially. But, hormonal changes in his physique turned his life upside down.

“I joined the Railways as an Assistant. But, years after, I realised certain physical changes in my body. It slowly showed up to others,” Ms. Sindhu said.

Though she found the railway premises very amiable, the outside world kept nagging her for her feminine behaviour.

Already under tremendous mental stress, Ms. Sindhu deserted the job in 2010. She started to live with fellow transgenders as she required mental peace.

After 18 months of secluded life, she realised the need for a respectable life and wanted to rejoin the railways.

“Though the officials did not want to deny me my job, they were little bit hesitant as my gender has undergone full transformation. It was then the office-bearers of Southern Railway Mazdoor Union (SRMU), Senthil Kumar and J.M. Rafi, strongly argued my case with the officials,” Ms. Sindhu recalled their role with gratitude.