Nine transgenders pass Odisha class 10 board exam

Nine transgenders of a school in Odisha's Bhadrak district have passed the Odisha class 10 board examination.

The nine transgenders among two lesbian students of Sarojini Sanskruta Vidyalaya at Boualpokhari, Charmpa in Bhadrak Municipality passed the Class 10 examination, the results of which were declared on Friday, overcoming social odds and stigma to succeed, according to the headmaster of the school, Malayranjan Panda.

The educational success of - Riya Sahi, Jitu Swain, Jadunatha Hansda, Sanjana Samal, Sasmita Bindhani, Ashirbad Sahoo, Rajkishor Das, Sima Tangur and Sandhya Champia - was not educational, but personal, as initially they were even boycotted by their respective families, claimed Panda.

But now, with the declaration of results of the class 10 board exams, luck has once again changed in their direction. Telephone calls, blessings, and positive words began flowing in, reuniting the nine students with their family members who had abandoned them earlier, he said.

"I have been absent from my home at Khallikote, Ganjam district for the past five years," Riya Sahu said.

"Like me, all others have also come here from other parts of Odisha. We are staying in a rented house near the school. Despite humiliation and social stigma and other difficulties, our mental resilience and support from the school, helped us to clear the matriculation exam," she further added.

On being questioned, Riya said, "I want to study more and live with dignity."

All Odisha Transgender Welfare Association extended warm congratulations to the students on their remarkable achievement.

The remaining transgender students cheered in chorus. Ashribad Sahu said, "People said that we were not good enough because of our body structure. But we disproved them. I wish to study further and obtain a government job to live a good life in the future."

"Most of these students were forced earlier to beg or sing on the streets for survival. They fought against odds, took rented accommodations near the school, and worked hard. Their success proves that with opportunity and support, they can achieve anything," stated Sommya Das, head of Bhadrak Transgender Surakshya Samiti.

Soumya also attributed the role of local NGOs and the government's transgender welfare fund in supporting the education of the students.

"Few repeated class 9 due to personal problems, but they never lost hope. They were provided with special attention and mentoring, and this helped them believe in themselves," Soumya explained.

Their success is a beacon of hope and inspiration of how education is capable of transforming lives. These nine students passed not only an exam—but broke barriers and changed minds, Das said.