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Why should your gender or sexuality define who you are? And who controls the notion of identity? One would guess that if you are not in control of it, you are being controlled by it...
Being ostracised by your own community, beaten and judged, all for self-determining your gender, is something today’s guest knows all too well.
The deeply rooted social stigma and prejudices that the transgender group face from members of society still exist, despite India’s declaration that they are the Third Gender under the constitution and should not be discriminated against. Yet many are still denied basic rights and forced into poverty. It is estimated that a whopping 74% of transgender persons have had to leave their homes and families because of their identity and have faced violence and abuse.
In today’s episode, Rajan travels to India to meet activist Rudrani Chhetri, whose fight for legal/social acceptance and respect of third genders has gone a long way. Although Rudrani has faced many hardships, she is a talented model, actor and entrepreneur opening the first Indian transgender modeling agency called Bold, in 2015, which is bringing a new paradigm shift in the way fashion labels work. She also supports over 5000 individuals in Delhi, people often from dire situations.
Rudrani is a symbol of inclusivity for many and today, she shares some unique insights into what identity means to her, and this notion of Indianness that we should be celebrating.
What has been your experience with gender identity? Share your comments below.
About Rudrani Chhetri:
Rudrani is an Activist and set up India's first transexual modelling agency. She is also a participant in the Rainbow film festival and now a Bollywood actress.
About the Global Indian Series:
Rajan Nazran is the chief chief explorer for the Global Indian Series, the official platform for people of Indian origin (PIO), because let's face it, we are everywhere!
For almost 15 years we have travelled across the globe covering 58 countries to date whilst exploring the kaleidoscope of our remarkable global community.
Voyaging to the edges of the Amazon, facing Ebola in West Africa, being held hostage in Eastern Europe, tapping rubber in Malaysia, drinking chai with Heads of State and sharing laughter with local fishermen - I have been there, looking for us!
Our purpose is simple, to build a living encyclopaedia of the community and a safe mooring ground for open discussions, whether you are an NRI, Indian Diaspora, person of Indian origin (PIO) or a fan of South Asian anthropology, what we do is bring people and communities together.
We do this by plunging into the human experience of being a person of Indian origin (PIO), taking a second look at the countries we now call home and tackling the conversations we need to know more about.
Through our range of award-winning original content (print, podcasts, events and TV) and fascinating discussions, our impactful stories and platforms have spearheaded national and international conversations that have brought people together.
Our work is featured in global brands including The Indian Express, OWM, Manager, ABC and many more.
How to get involved:
Interested in getting involved in building the world’s largest living encyclopedia on the community? Whether you want to become a patron, buy us a chai in a new location or have your story shown, simply get in touch via our website, we would love to hear from you. www.GlobaIindianSeries.com
Social media:
You can reach Rajan via:
Instagram: @rajannazran
Linkedin: Rajan Nazran
Youtube: Global Indian Series
Twitter: @rajansnazran
Special thank you to TAIZU for the music
Episode details:
Episode: 35
Presenter – Rajan Nazran
Producer –Global Indian Series/NazranRoth
Guest – Rudrani Chhetri
Art Design – Vanisha Patel
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