CHANGING STATUS OF EUNUCHS (HERMAPHRODITES)- ROLE OF YOUTH. Introduction write Background Eunuchs Eunuchs or Hijras are hermaphrodites in our race who do not possess a single gender identification, but dual. “ The Sanskrit term “ tritiya prakriti,” or third nature, is used to classify them” (3 bring surname and year).
Chatterji (write year) (this comes in references), “ The term hijra is often translated as “ eunuch” and the archetypal hijra is raised as a man and undergoes ritual removal of the genitals to become a hijra. However, anthropologist Nanda(write year) explains that many hijras come from other sexually ambiguous backgrounds: they may be born intersexed, be born male or female and fail to develop fully at puberty, or be males who choose to live as hijras without ever undergoing the castration procedure. Eunuchs have been an integral part of our society for 4000 years now. In the Indian Mythology, Ramayana, when Lord Rama was banished from his kingdom Ayodhya for 14 years exile, many of the people wished to accompany him on his exile but he commanded “ Ayodhya ke sabhi narnari, apne gharon ko laut jaye (all men and women of Ayodhya may return to their homes)”. Hearing this all the men and women returned to their homes but the eunuchs stayed there as they did not associate themselves with any of these genders. They stayed at the border of Ayodhya for 14 years bearing the heat, thunder, lightening, cold and rain. After conquering Ravan, when Rama returned to his homeland he was amazed to see the loyalty and dedication of the eunuchs and hence granted their tribe the boon that their blessing would be sought on every auspicious occasion. This boon automatically raised their status in the society of those days.
Even during the Imperial India eunuch were employed as the servants and guards for female royalty as they were more trustworthy and often obtained high status position. Though Indian Mythology is filled with endless instances relating eunuchs but there is a ‘ stark contrast’ in their present situation. write in text citation and reference for this information) Research Methodology write Findings In India witness eunuchs begging on the roads and traffic signals. “ An estimated 5-6 million eunuchs live in India” write in text citationIf they aren’t given the desired amount then they often terrorize people for it. These people are also found chanting and dancing at childbirth in families for money you could show a picture for this. But such begging does not suffice their stomachs and does not help them to a sustainable life.
Most of the eunuchs also enter into prostitution and sell their bodies to earn money. We may find these acts of begging and prostitution very demeaning and hateful, but the grave reality is that they have no other employment option. The society sees them as objects of ridicule and no matter how hard they try they cannot create a sophisticated life for themselves. When I asked whom? that why don’t they find another way of employment and why don’t they educate themselves in order to get jobs, Sunita Devi replied, “ humara koi nahihai. Aaj hum padh bhi le toh bhi hume koi naukri nahi deta hai.
Wo loog kahenge ki basti me bachche hone band ho gaye hai joy yaha aaye ho? Humme koi nahi rakhega (No one will employ us. Today even if we educate ourselves then also no one will employ us. The employers will say that has the childbirth stopped that you have come here. No one will keep us). ” While I was interviewing eunuchs the common issue that everyone raised was that the society does not accept them. They are treated like a marginalized sector of the society and do not even have basic human rights. Rani spoke, “ when we walk on road people look at us as if we are not human beings but devils. They do not want us to see them and touch them.
They call us by various names which further create a huge gap between us and the normal”. Rani is one of the eunuch guru staying in Agra and has read till class 12th. Though she is educated and well versed still she couldn’t manage to get employment anywhere. This is not just an issue with her, but with million (Dutt? ) other eunuchs who wish to lead a normal life but are strongly condemned by our society. Isn’t the quality of life more important than its quantity even for people marginalized by the mainstream as the lowest of society where the word ‘ human’ is under question? ” (Shoma A Chatterji). The life of a eunuch doesn’t mean to beg and fill stomachs; there are a lot of pathetic stories surrounding them. They are the ones from whom 18-20% (Sangama, an Ngo) are HIV positive as they are ranked the lowest in the hierarchy of prostitution so mostly the truck drivers indulge with them and so the amount they get is also meager. Not only this, these people are also harassed by the policemen and goondas on the roads.
Nick Harvey wrote in New Statesmen- India’s transgendered- the hijras, “ Although convictions are rare, it is in the name of such a law that the police are able to carry out their worst abuses against the hijra community. It seems that every hijra in India has her own story to tell of police brutality: “ Once a policewoman attacked me,” remembers Chandini. “ She said, “ Why are you standing here? ” and continued hitting me so I grabbed her hand and she ran away. She came back with two policemen and they took me to the station. There they beat me, stripped me and made me dance.
The police aggression, gangs of local thugs known as “ goondas” frequently rob and sexually assault hijras on the street. These attacks are rarely prevented or reported by the locals. The local people I spoke with whilst reporting this story were all apprehensive, amused or downright hostile. ” Evolution 1 We might superficially examine a eunuchs life and say that they are venomous, but a deeper study provides us with answers that are shocking. When one leads such a disgraceful life then the room for emotions eventually fades out because struggling through life becomes a major concern. Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, a dancer and dance instructor and also a contestant of big boss has created her own space in our society. Her honest confessions made her quiet popular among the masses.
It is through my personal interaction with them that I empathize with their grief and I realize that no matter how hard they try to evolve but the pit is too deep for them. All their efforts are futile because their attempts are always viewed with contempt. It is not easy to lead a life like theirs. 2 Despite such hardships the eunuchs have still managed to rise and evolve.
Gone are the days when one would look at a eunuch with killing looks. Though all haven’t successfully achieved a life of dignity but those who had the drive and the courage to struggle have made their way and are now looked upon with a great deal of respect. This marginalized clan first witnessed its evolvement with Shabnam Mausi being elected as the MP of Madhya Pradesh in 1999 (2). Her victory was the victory of the entire community and since then this class has been running a successful race no matter how ghastly the situations is. Now we have Hira Bai who is the collector has also earned laurels for her welfare deeds and development plans. Eunuchs have not just entered and created space for themselves in politics but in almost all genres of life.
Designer Sylvie said “ kabhi kabhi upar waale insaan ke saath insaaf nahi karte, fir hume hi likhni padti hai apni ksimat, chunni padti hai apni rah aur banana padti hai apni takdeer. ” She is an immensely courageous human who not only has inspired the so-called normal people but also has even motivated many of them. Her sole decision to participate in a reality show created a sense of sympathy in the country. Time and again she related her life struggle and helped in uplifting the standard of her clan in the society. They are the few of many people who fought the battle of injustice and rose and evolved.
Motivation If one succumbs to circumstances and loses faith in oneself then no miracle can ever chant of that person’s success. We are all young people who have just started with our struggle in life and giving up is no option for us. Robert Frost had quoted the following in “ Stopping By Woods On Snowy Evening”: “ The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. ” These eunuchs are considered to be the lowest amongst human beings and still they have been successful in overcoming all the inhumane barriers and have evolved in life.
People like you and me look down upon them and condemn them and treat them as untouchables and still it’s just through sheer hard work and dedication that they have created a place for themselves in the nation-builders and the decision- makers. Why is it that we humans forget that its not who we are that matters but who we will be when we die? Why do we judge appearances and not substance? Why are we so engrossed in self-obsession that we fail to recognize others feelings and wounds? We are STUDENTS TODAY AND SHALL BE LEADER TOMORROW, but with such wrong attitude are we ready to run a race? After completing my research when I look at eunuchs now there is a sense of honour for them in my eyes. The way they lead their life and still smile at it is a motivating factor for all of us. Their daily struggle is a source of inspiration to us. We rebuke them all the time and still during auspicious occasions they are there to bless us (they ask for money because they have no other source of income). While interviewing Mina Bai I learnt that how noble these people are. They have hearts of gold, but our discrimination towards them has made them hostile. When I asked her that what did she desire from her life and she simply spoke that she wanted the nation to develop and every family to have earning members so that they happily give away some of their money to eunuchs in order to fulfill their stomachs as getting jobs is the last thing they expect from anyone.
A eunuch’s life is the most cursed and by recurrent attempts they have evolved to heights that we can never think of. But still they have a long way to measure and go. Conclusion We, the youth, can be really instrumental in uplifting them and breaking the illusionary wall between them and us.
Small acts can not only evolve them but also create harmony and peace in the society. We should create awareness among people regarding the eunuchs and their life and should sensitize people towards them so that they may accept them with open hearts. We should even promote eunuch education and employment.
Most of the eunuchs refrain from educating because they feel that it would go waste as it would never yield results. It is not just important to educate them but also to rationally employ them. There should be more and more social events that involve eunuchs and the others so that they eventually gain compatibility and accept each other. The government should create provisions for these people for education and jobs. Giving Rs. 500 a month cannot satiate anybody’s desires and so the fund should also be increased so that they can meet their ends favorably. There should be few rules regarding prostitution because until they leave this profession they will never be motivated to work in sophisticated atmospheres.
The eunuchs should also be educated towards a living that brings them in close terms with the world. Eunuchs are humans like you and me, so why should they be deprived of any benefit that we enjoy. Eunuchs should be given equal status in the society and also by the government. This is too less. Get more matter on each of the ‘ remedies’. Overall the paper should at least be 12 page long.
Add more meat. You have not done any interview with the youth as written in abstract. Author Contact Information: Avani Juneja Masters Programme, Department of Fashion Marketing, Pearl Academy, P. O. Box 110028, New Delhi, ST: 011 – 49807100 / 101; Phone: 918736975534; e-mail:
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