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From Chance to Systemic Change: The Birth and Impact of Project RIGHT
New Delhi [India], August 14: My curiosity about transgendered people arose when my cousin and brother were born, my first encounter with transgendered people was when I was 8 years old when my cousin’s sister was born, and then my second encounter was when I was 11 years old; when my brother was born. As [...]
New Delhi [India], August 14: My curiosity about transgendered people arose when my cousin and brother were born, my first encounter with transgendered people was when I was 8 years old when my cousin’s sister was born, and then my second encounter was when I was 11 years old; when my brother was born. As it is a tradition in India, transgendered people have come to bless the children. I was intrigued to understand who these people were and what they were doing here. I noticed my family’s aversion and fear towards them and decided that an urgent change was needed. I often find myself revisiting those memories trying to make sense of that experience.
Then on one crisp October afternoon in Delhi, as my car idled at a traffic signal on my way home from school, I was startled by a tap on my window. Looking out, I saw a transgender individual asking for spare change. Intrigued and full of questions, I rolled down the window and struck up a conversation. The more they shared their experiences, the more I felt compelled to act. This brief interaction sparked a deep reflection on the severe socioeconomic and healthcare challenges faced by trans people in India. Driven by a desire to address this human suffering, I founded Project RIGHT (Real Inclusion in Gender Health Treatment) later that same month, dedicated to improving the lives of the transgender community.
Founded in October 2023, Project RIGHT (Real Inclusion in Gender Health Treatment) partners with Delhi-based NGO Mitr Trust to transform healthcare for trans communities in Delhi. The initiative focuses on enhancing the physical health, mental well-being, and social acceptance of trans people. A key achievement is the creation of a Gender Inclusive Health Center at Mitr Trust, offering support for various ailments. The Project relies on research from a February 2024 survey to address local issues and plans to hold health camps and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) checkups. It will also produce resources and host seminars to raise awareness and combat stigma. The project is currently hosting Health Camps and Wellness Seminars in collaboration with Dr. Dang’s Diagnostic Laboratory and Dr. Utkarshini Arora respectively.
