<p>Transgender activist Apsara Reddy was recently appointed as the national general secretary of All India Mahila Congress, making her the first transgender office-bearer in the history of the 134-year-old party.</p>.<p>Apsara was in Bengaluru to speak at the Republic Day celebrations hosted by The LaLit. She told <strong>Rakshitha M N</strong> about her plans and interests.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>You were a journalist earlier. How does it feel being a politician now?</strong></p>.<p>I had been a journalist for almost 16 years. Having worked in radio, print, and television, it was the best choice I ever made. The curiosity about the world is an important characteristic of any politician and I think it is add-on. There is always a journalist in me.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>How are you going to work towards the empowerment of women?</strong></p>.<p>The first thing is more budget reallocation for women’s education. If you look at the present ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana’ budget, it tallies up to 5 paise per child while our prime minister spends Rs 64 billion on foreign trips. So, budget reallocation becomes the priority. I will also concentrate on developing women leaders from the district level. Unless we have a groundswell of women leaders in the country, we can’t stand strong.</p>.<p><strong>Tell us about your connection with Karnataka.</strong></p>.<p>I like visiting Karnataka for its climate and weather. Also, the welcoming nature of Bengalureans attracts me.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>What do you do in your free time? Tell us about your hobbies and interests.</strong></p>.<p>I do gardening in my free time. I love growing organic vegetables. I have a small kitchen garden at home and like spending time there. Apart from that, I like listening to Carnatic music. I am into devotional songs. I listen to Mahalakshmi Ashtakam, Ashtalakshmi Stotra, Venkatesha Subrabhatam, Saraswati Suprabhatam. I also like shopping for saris. I make it a point to pick up traditional saris from places I visit. Cooking also interests me.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Lastly, have you noticed any significant changes in the way Indians look at transgender people now?</strong></p>.<p>Talking about India, I think the sights, sounds and the visibility of transgender women are growing by leaps and bounds. But when it comes to people embracing them, I think we haven’t reached there yet. Also, the effort should be both ways here; the community should also behave in a way that others understand us.</p>.<p>Clapping hands and abusing people will do nothing but scare them. Finding a middle ground and working together is the best solution.</p>
<p>Transgender activist Apsara Reddy was recently appointed as the national general secretary of All India Mahila Congress, making her the first transgender office-bearer in the history of the 134-year-old party.</p>.<p>Apsara was in Bengaluru to speak at the Republic Day celebrations hosted by The LaLit. She told <strong>Rakshitha M N</strong> about her plans and interests.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>You were a journalist earlier. How does it feel being a politician now?</strong></p>.<p>I had been a journalist for almost 16 years. Having worked in radio, print, and television, it was the best choice I ever made. The curiosity about the world is an important characteristic of any politician and I think it is add-on. There is always a journalist in me.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>How are you going to work towards the empowerment of women?</strong></p>.<p>The first thing is more budget reallocation for women’s education. If you look at the present ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana’ budget, it tallies up to 5 paise per child while our prime minister spends Rs 64 billion on foreign trips. So, budget reallocation becomes the priority. I will also concentrate on developing women leaders from the district level. Unless we have a groundswell of women leaders in the country, we can’t stand strong.</p>.<p><strong>Tell us about your connection with Karnataka.</strong></p>.<p>I like visiting Karnataka for its climate and weather. Also, the welcoming nature of Bengalureans attracts me.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>What do you do in your free time? Tell us about your hobbies and interests.</strong></p>.<p>I do gardening in my free time. I love growing organic vegetables. I have a small kitchen garden at home and like spending time there. Apart from that, I like listening to Carnatic music. I am into devotional songs. I listen to Mahalakshmi Ashtakam, Ashtalakshmi Stotra, Venkatesha Subrabhatam, Saraswati Suprabhatam. I also like shopping for saris. I make it a point to pick up traditional saris from places I visit. Cooking also interests me.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Lastly, have you noticed any significant changes in the way Indians look at transgender people now?</strong></p>.<p>Talking about India, I think the sights, sounds and the visibility of transgender women are growing by leaps and bounds. But when it comes to people embracing them, I think we haven’t reached there yet. Also, the effort should be both ways here; the community should also behave in a way that others understand us.</p>.<p>Clapping hands and abusing people will do nothing but scare them. Finding a middle ground and working together is the best solution.</p>
