Manabi Bandopadhyay, a transgender from West Bengal has been appointed as the college principal of Krishnagar Women's College in Nadia district and the occasion will create history when she takes charge of on June 9. "For me, it’s a long battle against ignorance. There was a time when I and even my father were threatened with dire consequences, as I am a transgender. I spent my childhood in Nadia and it’s a comeback to my home with pride and dignity after a long battle," Bandopadhyay told.
Bandopadhyay, who is currently an associate professor in Bengali at the Vivekananda Satobarshiki Mahavidyalaya, has created history for the transgender community before also. In 1995, she published the country’s first transgender magazine, Ob-Manab. "I was the first transgender professor in West Bengal and the first transgender to complete a PhD. Despite getting my due honour, I have always faced threats and insults," said Bandopadhyay.
"My dad and I were threatened by the colleagues and leaders of the student union. Their demand was that I should register as a male lecturer. When I protested, they tried to kill me and my father and even made sure that we didn’t get a room for rent in Jhargram," she recalled.
"I underwent a series of operations in 2003 and 2004 and became a full-fledged woman. In 2004, I became Manabi (which means beautiful woman in Bengali) from Somnath (her given name). It was a wonderful experience," said Bandhopadhyay. "It is not the post that I sought after. My 92-year-old father lives in Naihati. I took up this offer because I knew it will help me stay close by and look after him. My new colleagues had seen me on television, but I had only heard their voices. I wanted to meet them personally before joining," she said.
"This decision was taken by the College Service Commission. I don't interfere with their decisions. They are aware of our open mind. I am happy with this decision," state education minister Partha Chatterjee said.
Technical education minister Ujjal Biswas, chairman of the Krishnagar Women's College governing body, said: "We were in need of a principal with a strong personality to run the college smoothly."
Rattan Lal Hangloo, vice-chancellor of the Kalyani University said, "Manabi is a fine human being, a good academician and an able administrator. We are hopeful that her appointment will empower other members of the transgender community."
By Premji
