TN declares eunuchs third gender
The first-of-its-kind order is to help eunuchs get education and jobs …..GLADWIN EMMANUEL
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Higher Education department has issued a first-of-itskind government order declaring eunuchs as the third gender to help them get jobs and education, said Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi.
Kanimozhi was speaking at a function organised by the Tamil Nadu Transgender Welfare Association (TNTWA) in Chennai on Sunday. The meeting was organised to thank Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for setting up a welfare board for eunuchs.
The separate welfare board formed to mitigate the problems faced by eunuchs was stated to be the first of its kind in the country.
Kanimozhi said the state government is making all efforts for the uplift of the third sex.
Social Welfare Minister Dr Poongothai, the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women chairperson K M Ramathal and TNTWA president Asha Bharathi were among the participants.
Karunanidhi had signed the orders for a separate welfare board on April 10, 2008, appointing the social welfare minister as president of the board.
The Tamil Nadu government has also issued separate ration cards for eunuchs.