Justice Ritu Bahri inaugurates Awareness program for Transgender on Sex Reassignment Surgery
The Voice of Chandigarh-Seema Pahwa Handa
Under the aegis of National Legal Service Authority, New Delhi and under the able and dynamic guidance of Hon’ble Ms Justice Ritu Bahri, Judge, High Court of Punjab & Haryana and Executive Chairperson, State Legal Services Authority, U.T., Chandigarh, an awareness program for transgender on Sex Reassignment Surgery was organized in Bal Bhawan Sector 23, Chandigarh.
The program was a part of the ‘Pan India Legal Awareness & Outreach Campaign’ as part of ‘Bharat ka Amrit Mahatosav’ has also been going on since 2nd October 2021 to 14th November 2021. The program was conducted by District Legal Services Authority, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) and Transgender Welfare Board, UT Chandigarh.
Justice Ritu Bahri inaugurated the awareness programme and interacted with the transgenders and public present there. Speaking at the occasion Justice Ritu Bahri said that she was happy to observe that so many transgenders have attended the programme. She also said that the SAMTA – Nyay Kendra is a wonderful initiative by DLSA and she hoped that it would go a long way in ensuring the rights of the community. She also thanked the team from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) for taking out time and being a part of the program. While signing the signature board Justice Ritu Bahri wrote about the Transgender Community that “We are very brave, weak people should keep away.”
Gurbir Singh, Ld. District & Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Chandigarh, said that the Authority aims at making the services offered by the Legal Services Authority more approachable, accessible and people-friendly. Puneesh Jindia, District & Sessions Judge-cum-Member Secretary, State Legal Services Authority Chandigarh thanked the members of the transgender community who attended the awareness program to have participated in it with such enthusiasm. He also spoke about the importance of such community initiatives for ensuring the slogan of “Access to Justice for All” which is the motto of the Legal Services Authority.
The awareness programme saw participation was about 100 people from the transgender community. Mx. Vishipreet and Mx. Kittu Tank shared a few words regarding the various problems being faced by the transgender community. Also. Mx. Dhananjay Chauhan, Member Transgender Welfare Board also spoke on the condition of transgender in society.
The event was attended by Dr Rama Walia, Associate professor, Department of Endocrinology, PGI Chandigarh who talked about the process of Hormonal Therapy and its various aspects for transgenders.
Further, Dr Akhilesh Sharma, Associate professor, Department of Psychiatry, PGI Chandigarh enlightened all regarding the various psychological problems that transgenders face due to the stigma from the society and families and need to overcome it. Also, Dr Kailash Kurdia, Assistant Professor, Department of General Surgery, PGI, Chandigarh who gave a detailed presentation regarding the surgical procedures related to sex reassignment therapy for transgenders. All the resource persons from PGI Chandigarh had an interactive session with the audience and answered all their questions regarding sex reassignment therapy. On the spot registration and other facilities were also provided in the camp.
Ashok Kumar Mann, CJM-cum-Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, U.T. Chandigarh thanked all the resources persons who have provided their assistance to the transgenders/needy along with all the officials, Panel Lawyers, Para Legal Volunteers of the SLSA and DLSA who put in huge efforts to make the legal aid camp a success.
