Employment

Opportunities for the

Third Gender
Research Methodology

PGDM-Retail Batch 1(2010-12)

Trimester II

Tulika Anand(1)
Rishika Bhartiya(3)
Radhika Biyani(4)
Ilma Israr(8)
Aditya Pandya(14)
Pushkar Powle(16)
Sagar Rathi(17)
Donia Sharma(18)

Table of Contents

1
 1. Executive Summary ----------------------------------------3

2. Introduction to the Project -------------------------------4

3. Introduction to the Group --------------------------------6

4. The Problem we are Addressing ------------------------7

5. Problem Definition -----------------------------------------8

6. Research Methodology -----------------------------------9

7. Secondary Research -------------------------------------11

8. Inferences from Secondary Data ---------------------13

9. Primary Research ----------------------------------------14

10. Primary Data Inferences & Recommendations ---30

11. Questionnaire -----------------------------------------------33

12. Bibliography--------------------------------------------------41

Executive Summary

2
Eunuchs - castrated males - have been in existence since the 9th Century BC. The word
derives from the Greek "keeper of the bed" because castrated men were in popular
demand to guard royal harems. The practice is believed to have started in China where,
at the end of the Ming dynasty, there were as many as 70,000 eunuchs in the grand
palace itself.

The hijra community in India, which has a recorded history of more than 4,000 years,
was considered to have special powers because of its third-gender status. It was part of
a well-established `eunuch culture' in many societies, especially in West Asia, and its
members held sa nctioned positions in royal courts.Hijras as they are called,have
become something to be feared.Nobody wants to be accosted by one of them - be
nudged with their elbows, stroked on the cheek, taunted, cursed and flashed. It's by
taking advantage of this discomfort and embarrassment at their existence, that hijras in
21st Century India are making their living.

By considering the social , economic and emotional factors we understand the present
status and plight of the hijra community in India and find out how the environment is
changing around them. The purpose of our project is to explore employment
opportunities and social acceptability for them.

Introduction to the Project

The Hijra community is spread throughut India.They are divided into seven houses
called Gharanas.Each Hijra belongs to a gharana.Every gharana is headed by a
Nayak.The Nayak appoints gurus or spiritual leaders to train their wards or `chelas' in
badhai and protect them.Hijras in South India do not have the same cultural role as their
counterparts in North India.

“The hijra community has mainly three sources of income.”

 Badhai (dancing and singing at the birth of a child or at weddings)
 Dhandha or prostitution
 Mangti or Begging

3
The community has a complex network system, which informs them of every happy
event in the neighbourhood. No sooner has a baby been born in the family that a tinkle
of ankle-bells heralds the arrival of the hijras. They sing and dance and create a
commotion outside
the house until the
mother has allowed
them to look at the
baby. Once they have
blessed the child they
demand exorbitant
sums of money in lieu
of their good wishes.
The inspection also
carries an ulterior
motive. On rare
occasions when the
baby is born a eunuch, the hijras insist that the baby is given to them. Often, the families
will comply to avoid humiliation in society, and the group will take the child away to
their ghettoes to raise him as he should be: as one of their own. Territories are marked
within the city and the whole of Mumbai has seven eunuch clans Lalanwala ,
lashkarwala, dongriwala, punawala, blockwala, chaklewala, and bhendibazarwala.

In the past the Bihar government has tried innovative ways to involve the
eunuchs, in socially useful work. It has successfully used the services of eunuchs to
recover taxes from habitual defaulters in Patna. Bihar Social Welfare Minister Damodar
Raut told IANS that the government would soon launch a plan for the rehabilitation of
eunuchs. “It is in the pipeline. The rehabilitation scheme for eunuchs will be a reality in
the state soon,” he said. Sources in the department said the selected eunuchs would be
trained as drivers, cooks and guards for residential apartments, while some others
would be provided training in handicrafts, painting or computer applications.

Of the three income sources most of the hijras are into prostitution. This is because they
earn more by sex work than they do by badhai and begging. Other than the above
professions hijras hardly ever get an opportunity to work elsewhere due to the
apprehensions of society.

4
With changing times and changing mindsets of the people some states are trying out
innovative ways to involve the eunuchs in socially useful work. Eunuchs can be trained
as drivers, cooks, security guards or in handicrafts, painting and computer applications.

Introduction to the Group

This research project is being undertaken by 8 students of the PGDM Retail course 2010-

2012 of the Prin. L.N Welingkar Institute of Management Development and

Research, Mumbai under the guidance of Prof. Victor Manickam in the

Subject of Research Methodology.

Our group comprises the following:

Tulika Anand(1)

5
 Rishika Bhartiya(3)
Radhika Biyani(4)
Ilma Israr(8)
Aditya Pandya(14)
Pushkar Powle(16)
Sagar Rathi(17)
Donia Sharma(18)

The Problem we are Addressing

Eunuchs should be provided literacy and vocational training to prepare them for
respectable regular employment. It will give them the opportunity to enhance their
socio-economic status.For many hijras and kothis, sex work is the only option because
no one is willing to employ them because of their gender identity. Even as commercial
sex workers, hijras are the most vulnerable group as they are placed right at the bottom
of the hierarchy of sex workers. This results in their having little bargaining power and
being unable to ensure that their customers practise safe sex. They are also at risk of
violence both from customers and the police.

6
  How we can help improve the condition of
the Kinnars in our society.

 Help them avail a respectable job.

 Create social awareness and acceptance.

 Help them to reduce sex work.

 Also to stop the nuisance caused by them

at railway stations, traffic signals, pedestrian footpaths etc.

Problem Definition

India is the only country where the tradition of eunuchs is prevalent today. There are
about 1 million of them, though their role in life has changed drastically from that of
royal servants, confidantes and friends.

Every year, every month, every day, every second a child is born who stares at a world
that cares little. It’s born with dual identity, which is callously termed as “no identity”.
The child is born not to be a girl or a boy, but a hijra. The child born usually turns out to
be a shame to the parents as per the diktat of society.

7
Hijras as they are called have become something to be feared. Nobody wants to be
accosted by one of them - be nudged with their elbows, stroked on the cheek, taunted,
cursed and flashed. They roam the busy marketplaces in groups, terrorizing pedestrians,
hustling for ten or a hundred rupees. These are not your regular beggars on the street.
With male voices shouting expletives, palms meeting crossways in a trademark clap,
they prey on susceptible passersby, who will part with their cash sooner than be treated
to the sight of the group collectively lifting up their saris and flashing castrated genital
areas right in their faces. It's by taking advantage of this discomfort and embarrassment
at their existence, that hijras in 21st Century India are making their living. Begging or
Mangti isn't their only source of income, badhai-basti and Prostitution or
Dhandawalli are the other sources of income. The education level of a hijra is
less and also due to their gender they do not get employment so that they can
have a decent life. Inorder to earn decent money they turn to indecent practices
like prostitution. Being limited in knowledge a hijra does not have the literacy
about dreaded and fatal Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s) especially
AIDS/HIV. Thus, it is the responsibility of the people and the government to
educate them on this subject.

Also, the masses should sensitize themselves on the ground realities that a
transgender community has to face by putting themselves in their place, only
then the government and the masses will feel the pain of living in a country
where you do not have the fundamental human rights only because you are not
amongst the recognized genders.

Thus, the purpose of the research is to do our bit towards the betterment of the
transgender community, to sensitize masses on the Economical, Social and Emotional
aspects of a transgender and to explore other employment opportunities so that they
are not tagged as ‘nuisance’ by the society.

Research Methodology
According to our selected line of research on transgender community, the purpose was
to gain a better understanding of the Economical, Social and Emotional aspects of the
Transgender community and explore the feasibility of employment opportunities. So
after collecting the required preliminary data from secondary sources we decided to go
in for observation so as to understand their basic priorities.The components that formed
our line of secondary research were Age, Education, Employment and Income, Gharana
system, Knowledge on HIV, Types of clients.

For primary data collection we went in for structured questionnaire which we

administered to our respondents. The thought process that went into the primary
research was-

8
 a) Identify potential Employers – Since our project aimed at the finding
employment opportunities for the transgender we interviewed some potential
employers and to quote a few,
From a HR Manager:

“Willing to employ them as Canteen helpers, cab drivers, Housekeeping

(education level +2), with a pay scale of 6500(helpers)-12000(drivers).We will
not have any non-discriminating policies for TG’s.”

From a Program Analyst: L&T

“Since in our community we still have not accepted them for what they
are, I would not keep them in any of the customer interaction positions. Back
office jobs/on call jobs is something I find them best suited for.

My company has a strict dressing policy, which is applicable for all

employees. It would be up to the TG to decide what code to follow - the men's
dress code routine or the women's.

b) Identify the group of Transgenders–

The group identification was necessary to see how many amongst the many
were open and comfortable giving an interview so that there would not be any
hitch in the interviewing process.

c) Conduct One-on-One Interview Mini discussion groups of two or three

participants-
The mini discussion was necessary so that we could observe the behavioural
pattern, their gestures when they are interacting with us as group. This would
also make them a little comfortable which could have been slightly difficult in
one-on-one interview. Also, many new aspects of a transgender’s life is seen in a
group interaction.

d) Identify the Questions to be included in the Questionnaire-

This was the most important thing as it was the basis on which our
interpretation of primary research would be dependent upon. Choosing the
right kind of questions which would meet the necessary points which we were
looking for, choosing questions which would not put them in an embarrassing
situation.To find out all the aspects of their lives we decided to have a mixture

9
 of quantitative and qualitative questions. Thus we were able to gather adequate
data which enabled us to do the required analysis.

Secondary Research
We looked for various secondary sources available so as to garner as much relevant data
as we could get. The purpose behind this was to understand better the current situation
of transgender community in Mumbai. It gave a little more clarity to our thoughts,
removed some of the biases that we had and also defined the scope of the research in
terms of Social, Economical and Emotional involved and the way forward.

As our primary research was going to be based in Mumbai we limited the scope of the
secondary data to flyovers present in Mumbai only.To give clarity to our thoughts and
understand their lifestyle a little better, we chose Age, Education, Employment and
Income, Gharana system, Knowledge on HIV, Types of clients as our basis of secondary
research.

10
To begin with, the data for Age gave information about the age group that the Gharanas
in Mumbai constitute of. Starting from the age of 16 years to above 37 years all lived at
the same residence where the guru resided. The graph of Age and education gave the
information that the Gharanas had highest number of transgender members from the
age group of 23-29 years. It also showed that all the transgender members of the
Gharana above the 37 years of age were illiterate. Also from the sample size of 50, it
was seen that a whopping 28 (56%) were illiterate.The graph of Occupation and Income
shows that the transgender community earns more from prostitution or Sex work.

The hijra population in India has a well-defined group structure and regional affiliations
with a group head.Mumbai has seven eunuch clans namely Lalanwala, Lashkarwala,
Dongriwala, Punawala, Blockwala, Chaklewala, and Bhendibazarwala. The Gharanas
follow a hierarchy where Guru is at the apex followed by Chela, Santi and Naati. All
Gharanas have rules and regulations that need to be followed. Nayaks have a share in
their Chela’s income. No transgender can survive in isolation and has to be a part of a
Gharana.

Looking at the data of sex work and type of clients it was seen that unskilled workers
were the highest number of people who came in frequent contact with a transgender.
But the biggest surprise was that the students’ category came in second. Also, 62% of
transgenders were aware of what HIV is and about their HIV status as well.

While browsing through all the information we came across a much known face
from the transgender community, Laxmi Tripathi and to quote her from few of her
interviews-

“The British exploited and marginalized the community and we haven’t

recovered since then. They saw the power of the Third Gender, their influence among
the Nizams, the Rajputs, as holders of the palace keys, as protectors of the queens
harems, as members of the advisory committee, even as warriors like Shrikhandi in the
Mahabharata. The British chopped our power and hijras needed the permission of the
Collectorates office to even leave home. After India gained Independence, hijras lost
their freedom even more. We became more vulnerable. So what remains? Clapping
hands, begging, dancing. Otherwise you sell your body for survival.”

You once said that all transgender people want to blend with society and be seen as
females. Please elaborate.
For me beauty is not between sexes, but in every human being, immaterial of sexuality.
If women can have a beauty pageant, then why not us? I want them (transgender) to be
as they are, but we celebrate womanhood, femininity. But this does not mean we are
women. Because… Sri Krishna said in Bhagvat Geeta, prakriti naari hai, main sirf ek
purush hoon. Thus man is also not a complete man. There is a question mark on that.
 
What inspires you to aim and conquer uncharted territories? 
Do you think that I walk on unbeaten paths? I always want tomorrow’s morning to be
without stigma and discrimination. My parents had the courage to accept me. I don’t
want coming generations to be bereft of the love and care which I received, which this

11
community generally does not get. I want all to get the same opportunity, education
and love.If I have some good things in me, then I must do something about it. They say,
you can take a horse to the pond, but not make him drink water. My job is to at least
take them there, complete that journey first. If I can do it, then why not go ahead.

Inferences from Secondary Data

 The education level of the transgender community is poor which may be due to
the many being early drop outs unable to handle the social ridicule, school
heads banning them from coming to school due to their gender.

 The members of transgender community are a close knit family and are very
organized. Also, the rules of the Gharana need to be followed strictly.

 They risked themselves and others of getting infected by STD’s though they had
the knowledge on it. Thus it can be understood that transgender earned
maximum through sex work and safe sex may be was not on their priority list.

12
  Students were in second place, may be only because of certain amount curiosity
and mystery attached to this community.

 Sex work is chosen may be due to high cost living which will keep on going up.
Since it brings in highest income this may be the only way to stay alive.

 History shows that transgender were people on whom you could have highly
depended and trusted upon.

 Transgender had lost their faith and even doubted their basic rights in
independent India.

 From the excerpts of Lakshmi Tripathi, it can be said that no person has the right
to ridicule others sexuality and People should learn to accept realities, help the
ones in need and love one and all.

Primary Research

Observation Sheet: General Questions

1. At what age did you 8 – 10 yrs. 10 – 12 yrs. 12 – 14 yrs. ‘> 14 yrs.
realize that you are
different?
25 12 3 0

13
 30

25

20

15

10

0
8- 10 yrs 10-12 yrs 12-14 yrs > 14 yrs

2. Was your family Very Some- Non – Least

supportive of you joining supportiv what supporti intereste
the TG community? e. supportive ve d

- - 35 5

responses
very supportive

some what supportive

non- supportive

least intersted

3. Do you regret being a Sometime

Always Rarely Never
cause of humiliation to s
your family by joining
the TG community?
- 3 0 37

14
 responses

Always

Rarely

Sometimes

Never

4. Do you regret being Always Rarely Sometimes Never

different from others?

- 8 - 32

responses

Always

Rarely

Sometimes

Never

5. Why did you choose to live in / come to Mumbai City ?

Mumbai is my home town -

Was forced to leave my hometown 8

Knew other TGs in Mumbai 10

Easier to survive as a TG in Mumbai compared to other cities 22

Was recommended to go to Mumbai -

15
 Was influenced by Movies / Cinemas -

mumbai is my home town

was forced to leave my

hometown

Knew other TGs in Mumbai

Easier to survive as a TG in
mumbai

6. What are you Sex Worker Mangti Badhai-Basti A volunteer at Not Working
currently working an NGO
as ?

18 12 10 0 0

Instruction: You can choose more than one option

responses

sex worker

mangti

badhai-basti

a volunteer at an ngo

not working

7. How much do you Less than 7,000 – 10,000 10,000 – 13,000 More than
earn in a month (Rs)? 7,000 13,000

2 5 15 18

16
 20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
less than 7000 7000 - 10,000 10,000-13,000 more than 13,000

8. “I am happy with Strongly Agree Neither Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree

the job that I am Agree nor Disagree
presently doing”?
0 0 3 29 8

Instruction: How do you feel about the statement?

responses

strongly agree

agree

neither agree nor disagree

disagree

strongly disagree

9. Why have you not considered any other profession apart from the 3 activities you are involved
in ?

Social Acceptance 18

Education 8

Money 4

Lack of Job Opportunities 3

Rules of Gharana 7

17
Instruction: Please RANK the options: 1 being the highest and 5 being the lowest. Please give distinct options
for each.

Social acceptance

Education

Money

Lack of job opportunities

Rules of gharana

10. Do you think that Strongly Agree Neither Disagree Strongly

by doing a respectable Agree Agree nor Disagree
job, the society’s Disagree
perception towards you
would change?

6 32 2 0 0

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

11. How often would Always Rarely Sometimes Never

you grab at an
opportunity to
educate yourself? 29 6 3 2

18
 Always

Rarely

Sometimes

Never

12. If given an Most Certainly Maybe Never

opportunity to work in Certainly
the corporate world,
would you dress
normally?
31 9 0 0

Most certainly

Certainly

Maybe

Never

13. If offered a chance Most Certainly Maybe Never

to work as a cab-driver Certainly
in a reputable firm, do
you think you can
handle the job?
5 24 6 5

19
 Most Certainly

Certainly

Maybe

Never

14. What skills/talents do you have?

Dancing 22

Singing 9

Choreographing 0

Rangoli Making 11

Mehendi - Making 5

Acting 0

Stitching 12

Designing 0

Beauticians 19

20
 Dancing

Singing

Choreographing

Rangoli Making

Mehndi Making

Acting

Stitching

Designing

Beauticians

15. Some people say Strongly Agree Neither Disagree Strongly

there are three Agree Agree nor Disagree
genders-male, Disagree
female, and hijra.  To
what extent do you
agree to this? 28 12 0 0 0

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

16. To what extent do Strongly Agree Neither Disagree Strongly

you agree with this Agree Agree nor Disagree
statement: "TGs have Disagree
the same civil
18 12 3 4 3
rights as others."?

21
 Strongly Agree

Agree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

17. How often do you feel Always Most of the Rarely Never
deprived of love? times

13 13 8 6

Always

Most of the times

Rarely

Never

18. Do you have a partner? Yes No

21 20

22
 YES

NO

19. Do you want to get married?

Yes, I definitely want to marry. 13

Maybe, if the law recognizes TG marriages. 12

May be, if I find the right person. 10

No,I don’t want to get married. 5

Yes

Maybe if law recognizes

Maybe if I find the right

person

No

20. According to you, which of the following are important in a life of a TG?

Parental Love 6

23
Emotional Relationship 4

Stable Career 9

Secured Future 12

Physical Relationship 2

Money 7

Parental love

Emotional relationship

Stable Career

Secured future

Physical relationship

Money

21. Please rank the following in the order of your preference?

Social Acceptance 1

Life Partner 5

Money 4

Stable Job 2

Family 3

24
 Social Acceptance

Life Partner

Money

Stable Job

Family

22. Don’t you feel if you take help of the Yes No

media, you can help raise awareness about
13 27
TG community?

Instruction: If No, Please go to question number 25.

yes

no

23. Then why are the rules of Gharana so strict when it comes to “media” ?

25
 Nayaks like to keep control 14

Nayaks do not wish to reveal their Gharans Policy 12

Not all TGs are capable of handling the Media 0

Media is not sensitive towards TGs 9

Media hypes the whole issue 5

The law does not allow them to go public 0

Nayaks like to keep control

Nayaks do not wish to reveal their

Gharans Policy

Not all TGs are capable of handling

the Media

Media is not sensitive towards TGs

Media hypes the whole issue

The law does not allow them to go

public

Others

24. What mode would you prefer to spread awareness ?

Newspapers, Magazines 3

Radio 4

Television 10

Road-Shows, Parades 5

Awareness Camps in schools, colleges, Offices 16

One-on-one interaction 1

26
 Newspapers, Magazines

Radio

Television

Road-Shows, Parades

Awareness Camps in schools,

colleges, Offices

One-on-one interaction

Others, please specify ______

25. How happy are Very Happy Happy Somewhat Not at all Happy
you with the Happy
Gharana that you are
in?
4 10 15 11

very happy

happy

somewhat happy

not at all happy

26. When is a TG Grows Old Stops Earning Is Disloyal

banished from the
Gharana?
20 17 3

27
 grows old

stops earning

is disloyal

27. To what extent do Totally Largely Some extent Only for me

you think that the
things you have said
apply to all TGs in 24 8 5 3
India?

totally

largely

some extent

not at all

Primary Data Inference and

Recommendations
28
  Majority of the TG’s (93%) live away from their family .Most of them are from
South India and rarely visit their hometown. It is a very closely knit circle and
they do not have friends outside the TG community. They cannot marry even if
they wish to.

Inferences: They are deprived of love:family,friends and partners.

Recommendations: Create awareness amongst the society to accept them the

way they are.

 54 % of the TGs are happy with their present Gharanas. However, 68 % would
like to change their Gharana if given a chance.

Inferences: The rules of the Gharanas are very strict and Nayak-dominated.

Recommendations: The rules of the Gharana should be liberalized.

 The media is not always supportive to the TG community. 96 % of the TGs are
of the opinion that Media, Government Departments, Hospitals, Banks etc
discriminate them from others.

Inferences: They do not enjoy the same rights as others. Like Opening a Bank
account, applying for PAN Card etc.

Recommendations: Recognize their Gender legally and give them the same
rights.

 TGs are very good at Dancing ( 55%) , Singing ( 23% ), Rangoli Making (27 %),
Stitching (31%), Mehendi (12%), Beauticians ( 48 % ) etc.

Inferences: TGs have some special skills and also ready to learn and improve
them.

29
 Recommendations: They can work at Salons, Parlors, Vocational Training
Centers.

 81% of the respondents feel that social acceptance and lack of employment
opportunities is a major reason for them not having considered any other
profession apart from the 3 activities they are involved in.

Inferences: Money is not the only reason for being involved in sex-work, mangti,
badhai-basti.

Recommendations: Provide them with suitable and respectable employment

opportunities.

 96% of the respondents indulge in sex-work .77% of these are involved in it

unwillingly as they do not have any other source of income.

Inferences: This shows that sex-work is the easiest income earning activity to
indulge in.

Recommendations: Provide them with alternative employment to reduce flesh

trade.

 100% of the TG’s want to dress as females even if employed in reputable

organizations.

Inferences: The TG’s do not want to lose their identity.

Recommendations: The organizations should give them the option to either

follow men’s dress code routine or women’s.

 100 % of the TGs are of the opinion that there should be 3 genders : Male,
Female & TG.

30
 Recommendations: Government should recognize their Gender and have 3
gender classifications.

Excerpts from Interviews:

From a Kinnar – Guru at KamathiPura
“You have to be a Kinnar by birth or by choice and be accepted by a guru. The
Chela has to obey the guru's command at all cost. Usually chelas live with their
gurus. I am also a guru and my Chelas live with me at my residence.”

From a Kinnar at Mumbai Central

“We are hijra and there would be no problem to call hijra a hijra.There are
several myths and misconceptions.  I cannot deny the fact that I am a hijra and it is my
community. I tend to accept it despite superstitions.”

From a Kinnar at Humsafar Trust.

• Work for the same NGO

• Has a partner

• Happy with the current job

• Regrets having done sex-work before

From a Kinnar at Humsafar Trust.

• Stays with Family

• Doing Post Graduation – MBA

• Wants to join a reputed organization and live a respectable life with his family.

QUESTIONNAIRE
Survey on Employment Opportunities for Transgender Community in Mumbai

Name:

31
 Address:

Telephone No:

Interview Date: Start Time: End Time:

Investigator: Back checked By:

We are students of Welingkar Institute Of Management and Research, Mumbai, who

seek to identify employment opportunities for the transgender community in Mumbai
city. Taking part in this study is entirely voluntary. Participation in the study will require
answering questions from a survey and will take approximately 15-20 minutes of your
time. Your answers will be kept confidential and your responses will not be linked to you
personally; they will be reported as a group. We urge you discuss any questions about
this study with our team members.

Do you wish to participate? Yes/No

1. At what age did you 8 – 10 yrs. 10 – 12 yrs. 13 – 14 ‘> 14 yrs.

realize that you are yrs.
different?

1 2 3 4

2. Was your family Very Some-what Non – Least

supportive of you supportive. supportive supportive interested
joining the TG
community?
1 2 3 4

3. Do you regret being a Always Rarely Sometimes Never

cause of humiliation to your
family by joining the TG
community? 1 2 3 4

32
4. Do you regret being different from Always Rarely Sometimes Never
others?

1 2 3 4

5. Why did you choose to live in / come to Mumbai City ?

Mumbai is my home town 1

Was forced to leave my hometown 2

Knew other TGs in Mumbai 3

Easier to survive as a TG in Mumbai compared to other cities 4

Was recommended to go to Mumbai 5

Was influenced by Movies / Cinemas 6

Others, please specify ______

Instruction: You can choose more than one option

6. What are you Sex Worker Mangti Badhai-Basti A volunteer at an Not Working
currently NGO
working as ?

1 2 3 4 5

Instruction: You can choose more than one option

7. How much do you earn in a Less than 7,000 7,000 – 10,000 10,000 – 13,000 More than
month (Rs)? 13,000

1 2 3 4

33
 8. “I am happy with the job Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree Disagree Strongly
that I am presently doing” ? nor Disagree Disagree

1 2 3 4 5

Instruction: How do you feel about the statement ?

9. Why have you not considered any other profession apart from the 3 activities you
are involved in ?

Social Acceptance 5 4 3 2 1

Education 5 4 3 2 1

Money 5 4 3 2 1

Lack of Job Opportunities 5 4 3 2 1

Rules of Gharana 5 4 3 2 1

Instruction: Please RANK the options: 1 being the highest and 5 being the lowest. Please
give distinct options for each.

10. Do you think that Strongly Agree Neither Agree Disagree Strongly
by doing a respectable Agree nor Disagree Disagree
job, the society’s
perception towards
you would change? 1 2 3 4 5

11. How often would Always Rarely Sometimes Never

you grab at an
opportunity to educate
yourself ? 1 2 3 4

12. If given an Most Certainly Certainly Maybe Never

opportunity to work in
the corporate world,
would you dress

34
normally ? 1 2 3 4

13.  Do you think you can Most Certainly Certainly Maybe Never
handle the job of a cab
driver and provide safety to
the female employees ? 1 2 3 4

14. What skills/talents do you have ?

Dancing 1

Singing 2

Choreographing 3

Rangoli Making 4

Mehendi - Making 5

Acting 6

Stitching 7

Designing 8

Others, please specify ______

Instruction: You can choose more than one option

15. Some people say there Strongly Agree Neither Agree Disagree Strongly
are three genders-male, Agree nor Disagree Disagree
female, and hijra.  To what
extent do you agree to this?
1 2 3 4 5

16. To what extent do Strongly Agree Neither Agree Disagree Strongly

you agree with this Agree nor Disagree Disagree
statement: "TGs have
the same civil rights as
others."? 1 2 3 4 5

35
17. How often do you Always Most of the Rarely Never
feel deprived of love? times

1 2 3 4

18. Do you have a partner ? Yes No

1 2

19. Do you want to get married?

Yes, I definitely want to marry. 1

Maybe, if the law recognizes TG marriages. 2

May be, if I find the right person. 3

No,I don’t want to get married. 4

20. According to you, which of the following are important in a life of a TG?

Important Unimportant

Parental Love 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Emotional 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Relationship

Stable Career 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Secured Future 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Physical Relationship 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Money 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Instruction: Please Circle the options, 7 being the important and 1 being the Unimportant

21. Please rank the following in the order of your preference?

36
Social Acceptance 5 4 3 2 1

Life Partner 5 4 3 2 1

Money 5 4 3 2 1

Stable Job 5 4 3 2 1

Family 5 4 3 2 1

Instruction: Please RANK the options: 1 being the highest and 5 being the lowest. Please
give distinct options for each.

22. Don’t you feel if you take help of the media, you can help Yes No
raise awareness about TG community?
1 2

Instruction: If No, Please go to question number 25.

23. Then why are the rules of Gharana so strict when it comes to “media” ?

Nayaks like to keep control 1

Nayaks do not wish to reveal their Gharans Policy 2

Not all TGs are capable of handling the Media 3

Media is not sensitive towards TGs 4

Media hypes the whole issue 5

The law does not allow them to go public 6

Others, please specify ______

Instruction: You can choose more than one option

24. What mode would you prefer to spread awarenes ?

Newspapers, Magazines 1

Radio 2

37
Television 3

Road-Shows, Parades 4

Awareness Camps in schools, colleges, Offices 5

One-on-one interaction 6

Others, please specify ______

Instruction: You can choose more than one option

25. How happy are you Very Happy Happy Somewhat Not at all Happy
with the Gharana that Happy
you are in?

1 2 3 4

26. When is a TG Grows Old Stops Earning Is Disloyal Others

banished from the
Gharana? Please specify

1 2 3

27. To what extent do Totally Largely Some extent Only for me

you think that the things
you have said apply to all
TGs in India? 1 2 3 4

28. Is there anything else which you think we should know ?( in not more than 25
words)

38
 Bibliography
 Humasafar Trust, Mumbai

 www.matadornetwork.com

(http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/2009/10/13/close-encounters-of-the-third-
sex-the-hijras-of-india/)

 www.wikipedia.org

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hijra_%28South_Asia%29)

 www.kolkatamirror.com

(http://kolkatamirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=9&contentid=20100
120201001191318405317c6b518b&sectxslt=)

 www.pbase.com

(http://www.pbase.com/maciekda/hijras)

 www.thingsasian.com

(http://mylemo.com/hijdas.html)

39