(S)HE!!!!!

Vihaan was floating on cloud nine….. the Obstetrician announced Bhavika, his wife had delivered their little prince. Vihaan and Bhavika had always wanted a daughter, but the pretty bundle of love was the epitome of beauty and the very meaning of their life .

They concurred to call him Krishnakumar. Krishna was a very playful and mischievous kid. A very sociable, adjustable and a well groomed child. Bhavika dressed him up as a girl sometimes to gratify her longing for a daughter. The crawling Krishna soon stood straight and it was a treat to watch him take his first few steps.

Krishna was in school, with a bunch of joyful kids, screaming and laughing, shouting and growing together. He loved hues of pink, beige and red. Roses were his favourite. He cherished long hair and fussed and threw tantrums over a haircut. Visiting the barber was a great ordeal at home. Father and the son bargained over the style and length of hair, and the ever loving mom had to intervene every time to settle their scores.

The trivial disputes continued. When Vihaan got Krishna a toy car, Krishna chose a Barbie doll. He was simply fascinated by the cute little playmate. Very often Bhavika acted neutrally, got both the toys for her dear son, pacifying the duo.

All this was thought to be very normal in the life of a child. In school, as a small boy, he disliked boyish rude games, but enjoyed gentle games. His teacher thought of him as a gentle kid, who disliked ferocious, agile and rough games, a soft spoken introvert.

At the age of 8, Krishna expressed to his parents that he was a girl and never a boy. He would like to be named as Krishnakumari rather than Krishnakumar. Adding of “i”at the end of his name, created a sense of joy and contentment in his mind. Vihaan and Bhavika brushed it aside in the beginning, thinking this craziness was part of growing up. But, one fine day Krishna confessed to his parents that he truly and sternly believed he was a girl and never felt a boy. It was a bolt from the blues. They found it difficult to accept this. They counselled him a lot, but were supportive throughout, taking great care not to hurt their dear one.

Krishna was taken to their family doctor for advice, and was put on to a psychologist. Academics was never a botheration to Krishna. He always topped the class, and excelled in co-curricular activities too. Acting, extempore speech, poem writing,...it was all cake walk to him.

Stepping into adolescence, it was too difficult for Krishna to handle things. Vihaan and Bhavika tried to dissuade his fears, his feeling of loneliness and supported him.

They now accepted their child’s urge of becoming a girl, and took him to a therapist. Krishna was put on hormones, so that his voice did not break, and he did not develop any other male characteristics. Out of social stigma they moved out to an entirely different city. They kept insisting on Krishna’s academics all the time.

How was Krishna to spend the rest of her life? Was she an avatar of Lord Shiva? Ardhanarishwara???Was she going to be ridiculed, mocked at, stared and glared like an alien? Was she born on an unlucky star? Was she to be blamed for the present scenario? How could she have a family of her own to take care of her and love her? Who would lend their shoulders for her to rest in times of need after her parents? Can she live alone,in this society with no one to care for her. Would she visit Koovagam Koothandavar temple, pray and be God's wife, beg for alms, or be treated as a good omen and lucky charm, blessing all around her for her living.

With such consternation and apprehension in the minds of the Krishna and her beloved parents she continued her studies, all with consistent, untiring and unstinting support of her dear parents. Their only child Krishna was so dear to them, boy..... girl.... neither..... it never mattered to them.

Krishna managed her UG and pursued law. She could enroll in the bar council after the government declared transgender people as the third gender. Finally a lamp was lit at the end of the dark tunnel.

Krishna did not want to be branded as an eunuch, a Hijra or transgender, being thought of as good omen and begging for alms for her living. This disturbed her a lot. She started her practice as a lawyer, and could stand on her own legs. Her roaring practice as a barrister escalated her economic status rocket high. She could take care of her aging parents. The education and parents support had given her all the confidence she needed in life. The society that once looked down upon her now looked high up and were proud of her. She started an NGO by herself along with some like-minded philanthropists. The organisation became her family, her source of moral strength,love and care.

She finally has a family of her own, with many (wo)men who needed help financially and emotionally. Her parents concern about her future and their prayers are answered. Ultimately, the requirements in life apart from the necessities of food, clothing and shelter, is love and care for any individual. To love and to be loved, Krishna has an ever expanding beautiful family. A heterogeneous family bonded with love and care,mutual respect and support.

Krishna stands on a high pedestal as an embodiment of love, care and accomplishment in the minds of both men and women alike.

Salutations to you Krishna, the pioneer, the beacon light illuminating the society against the taboo of sexual discrimination!!!!!