A signal of change: Transgender group joins as traffic assistants Premium

Telangana State Police appoints transgender traffic assistants, fostering inclusivity and recognition, transforming lives and breaking stereotypes.

Around 4.30 a.m., while most of the world is still asleep, G. Kavi Raju begins a journey that is both physical and symbolic. The 36-year-old, newly appointed traffic assistant with the Telangana State Police, boards a bus from Siddipet district, travelling nearly 100 kilometres to Marredpally Traffic Police Station in Hyderabad. By the time the city stirs to life, Raju is already at his post, directing the chaos of Jubilee Bus Station (JBS) with a firm hand and a proud smile.

Clad in a crisp white shirt, khaki pants and a police cap, Raju beams with pride, something that fuels him through his two-hour daily commute. “It is a long commute, but it gives me time to rest and recharge a bit and allows me to see my fellow villagers gawking with awe as I walk past them. I look forward to moving to the city, and aim to serve better,” he shares.

Raju is one of the 44 transgender persons who were inducted as traffic assistants in December 2024 — a groundbreaking initiative by the Telangana government to foster inclusivity and formally recognise the transgender community’s contribution to society.

The uniform and the responsibilities it brings with it have given them more than a job — it is a fresh start, a second chance at life where they embrace their identities with pride.

Sharing their story of transformation, they speak of the shift from being social outcasts to figures of authority and respect on the streets. “For the first time, strangers smiled at us and greeted us on new year,” they say, reflecting on how life has changed in ways they once thought unimaginable.

At opposite ends of the traffic signal at the bustling JBS junction, just 500 metres apart, Raju and his colleague J. Shiva Ram, 30, command attention and respect from people. Commuters follow their instructions diligently, occasionally offering a nod or a smile of reassurance.

For Shiva Ram, the uniform symbolises a hard-won freedom. Once placed under house-arrest and nearly forced into marrying an older man, he now finds solace and purpose in his role. Reflecting on the darker days, he recalls a time when despair nearly consumed him. “As Sabitha Rani then, I was told the proposal had come because of how I looked and dressed. When I refused, my father thrashed me. Two months later, he passed away, leaving me to shoulder the entire family’s responsibility,” Shiva Ram shares.