[00:00:02] Sun News Anchor

An event where a fellow transgender person and social activists together helped a transgender person, who had dropped out of college to complete the education and obtain employment at a multinational company has created an exceptional incident in Coimbatore. You can see a segment about this.

[00:00:16] News Reporter Mohan

Transgender people who face many problems in society have to fight for many things, such as education, employment, legal entitlement and social recognition. Under these circumstances, Sajana, who is a native of Pudukkottai district, was admitted to ECE degree in a private engineering college in Coimbatore in 2017. Before starting her third year of studies, Sajana, fully realizing and experiencing her gender identity and sexuality, transitioned by undergoing the gender-affirming surgery to transgender person. Privileges she enjoyed as a male student including education scholarships and other facilities were stopped after Sajana’s transition to transgender person. Thus, Sajana, who had no other financial means, was unable to pursue the engineering studies. Shunned by the society and marginalised, she came under the care of a car and auto driver, Anushya, who is herself a transgender person. Realizing, Sajana was extremely interested in continuing her studies, Anushya gave money to Sajana from the earnings as a driver.

[00:01:24] Sajana

After I completely transitioned to transgender person during 2018-2020, I wanted to study. I got into a frenzy to anyhow complete my college education from which I had dropped out and get my undergraduate degree and start my career and I went back to college. College also supported and accepted me fully. However, I had no money to pay the fees and as I was thinking what to do, Transmom Foundation, whose founder is Anushya, came to my help.

[00:01:59] News Reporter Mohan

But the amount earned by Anushya was not enough. It was then, the couple, Mani and Latha, with whom Anushya had worked as a car driver, came forward through their Pratibodh Foundation to fulfil Sajana’s dream of completing her college education.

[00:02:16] Sajana

Full and full, that Pratibodh Foundation, Swaminathan Mani, Latha Mani, both of them, they are spouses. they supported me fully and completely. Only because of them I could finish my degree.

[00:02:29] News Reporter Mohan

Social activists couple Mani and Latha, besides helping transgender Sajana complete her education, also provided training and work experience in their software Company in Hyderabad as an IT engineer. Having worked there for a year, Sajana is currently working as an IT Engineer with L&T (LTIMindtree) a well-known multinational Company in Coimbatore.

[00:02:53] Anushya

Transgender persons after studying complain they are not getting jobs and limit themselves. That should not be the case. Go and seek a suitable job opportunity based on your studies to three – four companies. Only through your trying and struggle you will get everything. Sajana is an example for this, and we are so proud of her at this time.

[00:03:11] Latha

We did not do much. After doing so little if we can get so much result, if all of us help how much more can we get, how many more can progress. Sajana is an inspiring story.

[00:03:28] Mani

It makes us happy that a little help is the cause of great progress. This kind of progress provides progress in life, generational progress for them, could be the catalyst for progress of the entire community.

[00:03:42] News Reporter Mohan

True to the proverb ‘Oor Koodi Ther Izhu’ – emphasizing the strength that comes from collective community action - with the help from transwoman Anushya who has little formal education and social activist couple Latha and Mani, transwoman Sajana by realizing her dreams has inspired confidence and hope in the entire transgender community.

For Sun News, Coimbatore reporter Mohan

July 25, 2025