DHANYA RATH 2017 – REPORT

Mar Thoma Senior Youth Forum, Kalyan celebrated this year’s Christmas with Transgenders, friends of Navodaya Movement Kalyan on Monday, 25th December 2017  at 6pm at Mar Thoma Syrian Church Kalyan. When SYF thought about this year’s Dhanyarath, the committee unanimously came up with the idea to celebrate this year’s Christmas with the Transgenders friends from Navodaya Movements as said by MTC Kalyan vicar and SYF President, Rev. Binoy J Thomas.

The programme started with a word of prayer by SYF Vice-president Mr. John Gijy George. And SYF Secretary Saji K Thomas introduced the chief Guest Mr. Pravinchandran Nair, Senior Journalist from Mumbai and gave the welcome speech.

After the Sunday School children’s carol song, our Chief Guest Mr. Pravinchandran Nair addressed the full packed parish hall on the core issues and how the society is behaving with the Transgender community. He said, “Ask the transgender people and they will tell you that they have become aggressive in self-defence, and the people and the police harass them all the time. They don’t want your pity, they need your acceptance.” It was an eye-opener perspective for everyone which he shared in his talk.

Rev. Abin Sambrical the Director of Navodaya, spoke about the initiatives undertaken by the Navodaya movement which includes the mission on caring the Transgenders community and the new plans to build shelter homes at Kerala. From the last few years Navodaya has  been working very closely with the Transgenders community in Mumbai and Kalyan areas. They are providing support for health care and basic necessities for them.

Shalini Nair, one of the transgender from Vashi shared her bitter experiences while she was in Kerala. When her family realized she is a TG, the family, relatives and her friends kept her away from them and she moved to Mumbai and joined this community.

Representing the Transgender community, Neeta Kene (Guru) expressed their gratitude and praised the way Navodaya is taking care of this community.

There was an interactive session held by Mr. Regi Thomas with the Transgenders and the rest of the crowd. Through the session he conveyed the message that there is no difference between a Man, Women and a Transgender as their thinkings, their likes and views all are the same.

A token of love was presented to the Transgender friends by the SYF.

The event concluded with the vote of thanks by Mrs.Susan Daniel, Jt Secretary. And prayer by Mr. Daniel Thomas. The programme was compered by Mr. Jacob Mathew.

After the programme, dinner was served for everyone.

 

Rev. Binoy J Thomas