Presidency University to take 'others' into fold from July

[Peter]

Presidency University to take 'others' into fold from July

KOLKATA: Presidency University will soon set an example for being the most progressive campus in the state. When admissions to the new academic session start in July, the university will recognize those belonging to the third gender. The university is in the process of making changes in admission forms.

According to a university spokesperson, times have changed and the society is becoming more inclusive and compassionate towards people whose sexual preferences are different from conventional ones. Citing Supreme Court's April 15, 2014, judgment, he said that it had become mandatory to accept the presence of the third gender on campus and hence the need for change.

So long, the forms had 'male' and 'female' as the options. But this year, another category, 'others', will be included in the form, basically meant for transgenders.

"We are happy to make this change. We want to be known as a healthy and inclusive campus. A student's gender preference should definitely not interfere his opportunity to receive the best of higher education, if he is meritorious," insisted vice-chancellor Anuradha Lohia. This will definitely help transgenders to study with dignity, she felt.

Activists and NGOs welcomed the move. They felt this was the first step towards bringing transgenders within the fold of higher education. "A large number of transgenders drop out after high school because they are hounded and not accepted within the accepted binary norms. By admitting students in the 'others' category, Presidency will recognize the presence of transgenders on campus and will also be bound to protect their dignity. Since undergraduate classes are also taught here, this will encourage transgenders from high school to apply," said activist Pawan Dhall.

Malavika of Sappho echoed. "The moment transgenders are able to apply in the 'others' category, they will be assured of social acceptance. It is a big stride towards inclusion," she said. Malavika felt that puberty is the time when children start becoming aware of their sexual preferences. That is also when they become targets of bullying and look for ghettos to find friends with similar preferences. "When universities officially start recognizing their presence, it will act as a protective shield for transgenders," she added.

Ranjita Sinha, who runs the Association of Transgenders and Hijras, felt that all other higher education campuses, especially affiliated universities, should follow Presidency's example.

Presidency University to take ‘others’ into fold from July - The Times of India

 

[Peter]

An extremely nice initiative taken up by Presidency. The third sex are often denied admissions to educational institutions and are discriminated in nearly all spheres of life. They end up with miserable lives and are forced to find really demeaning jobs to sustain themselves. I think that by allowing them into educational institutes their lives would surely improve for the better.