Insults and Ragging Kept This Transgender Away from College for 11 Years. But She’s Back!

Suman joined college 11 years ago but had to drop out due to the humiliation and ragging she faced for being a transgender. She is back in college now, all set to finish her journalism degree.

By Shreya Pareek

August 8, 2015

Suman joined college 11 years ago but had to drop out due to the humiliation and ragging she faced for being a transgender. She is back in college now, all set to finish her journalism degree.

For many students, the first day of college is special. But for Suman, it is more than special — she feels she has literally won a war! She’s been on a quest for the last 11 years, determined to find her way back to getting an education, and she has finally achieved her goal by gaining admission to St. Joseph’s Evening College.

Suman, a 28-year-old transgender, was enrolled in a BBM course 11 years ago but had to drop out because of the humiliation, ragging and insults that she faced.

Picture for representation only. Source: msutoday.msu.edu

Now, after over a decade, she is back in college with the mission of getting a Bachelor’s degree in journalism. She believes that only education can transform the lives of people belonging to transgender communities and sexual minorities.

Suman received support from Ondede, an organisation that works for the rights of children, women and minorities.

She was initially apprehensive about how her classmates would treat her, but so far they have been “cordial” and she is ready to face any challenges this time.

By taking this step, Suman has become an inspiration to others in the transgender community, and has opened the gates for many others like her who want to pursue an education.

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