Breaking all barriers- Joyita Mondal

As a member of the transgender community, Joyita Mondal, now the first  Indian transgender judge, had to face challenges too. She is also a social worker from West Bengal who has contributed immensely to the society and her work has found recognition.

In a 21^st century society that still expects people to conform to gender roles and believes in gender stereotypes, one can assume what difficulties may have laid in her way. People belonging to the transgender community are definitely not looked upto with respect and regard in an Indian society.

Earlier in life, before achievements kissed her feets, she was homeless and could not earn her bread. She had to drop out of school and even had to beg because none would accept admission of a transgender in a job. The discrimination she faced would have shattered anyone. Not that it did not affect her, but she stood strong at the face of discrimination and made her own way out of the deprivation she had to face.

Despite all the obstacles that lay in her way, she decided to work for the deserved rights of her community and became part of a transgender rights organization. In an interview, she said that this is where she derived the inspiration of getting a law degree from. She knew that this was the only way she could fight the prejudices surrounding her community that had made place in the minds of the people.

With a heart full of courage and spirit, she began her journey and completed her degree.

She has an organization of her own , called the Dinajpur Notun Alo that has helped many get out of the darkness and explore the world of light. She has also provided shelter to many HIV positive patients who are often cornered by the society. After she assumed office in 2017, she has inspired many youngsters. At an age of just 29, it was indeed an achievement to break free of the norms set by the society. Not that she had not been criticized and faced discrimination because of her gender identity, but nothing could faint the dedication that she had.

After Joyita became the first transgender judge in West Bengal, and the whole of India , many have shared their stories about how Joyita's journey is a lesson and helped them in life. Swati Bidhan Baruah thinks of Joyita as an ideal and has now become Assam's first transgender judge and is the third of all transgender judges in India.

Really, Joyita’s story is an evidence to what transgender and other minority communities face in our society. Gender stereotypes and discrimination based on them are a shame on humans that partake of it. It is true that they deserve respect and recognition, which they have been denied for centuries and treating them as equals is our responsibility as citizens of a democracy too. Joyita Mondal's story proves that talent does not remain hidden for long, it will definitely surface and blossom one day.