Every dream pushed forward against odds is a victory. Transgender individuals in India are making history as the first in their fields, showing the world their strength. At the Sahodari Foundation, we honor these pioneers for sparking transgender empowerment in India. Their stories, full of heart and courage, lift us all. Let’s meet six trans women who broke barriers.
India’s First transgender OAS officer: Aishwarya Rutuparna Pradhan
Aishwarya Rutuparna Pradhan faced hard times in Odisha. People judged her for being transgender, but she studied hard, earning a master’s degree. In 2023, she became India’s first transgender Odisha Administrative Service officer, working as an Assistant Collector. Her saree at work shows her pride, inspiring trans youth like those we help at Sahodari.
India’s First transgender MLA: Shabnam “Mausi” Bano
Shabnam Mausi grew up facing stigma in Madhya Pradesh. Yet, she won people’s trust and, from 1998 to 2003, became India’s first transgender Member of Legislative Assembly. She worked for the poor, proving trans people can lead. Her story encourages the trans women we train at Sahodari to start businesses.
India’s First transgender MS Orthopaedics student: Dr. Prachi Rathore
Dr. Prachi Rathore from Hyderabad fought discrimination to study medicine. In 2023, she became the first transgender person to pursue an MS in Orthopaedics at a government college. Now at Osmania General Hospital, she reflects Sahodari’s push for trans education.
India’s First transgender police officer (sub-inspector): K Prithika Yashini
K Prithika Yashini faced rejection in Tamil Nadu but kept going. After a legal fight, she joined the Tamil Nadu Police in 2018 as India’s first transgender sub-inspector. “I fought to serve”, Her uniform stands for courage, like the skills we teach trans women at Sahodari.
First transgender international beauty queen: Naaz Joshi
Naaz Joshi overcame tough odds to shine in beauty pageants. She won Miss World Diversity pageant three times, becoming India’s first transgender international beauty queen. Her activism aligns with Sahodari’s work to share trans stories through art.
First transgender college principal: Manabi Bandopadhyay
Manabi Bandopadhyay made history in 2015 as India’s first transgender college principal at Krishnagar Women’s College in West Bengal. With a PhD in Bengali literature, “Education is power.” Her role mirrors Sahodari’s support for trans students.
These firsts—Aishwarya, Shabnam, Prachi, Prithika, Naaz, and Manabi are rays of hope. In India, where many trans youth drop out of school due to stigma, their success shows what’s possible. The 2014 NALSA judgment gave trans people rights, but these pioneers live those rights, proving trans individuals can excel anywhere.
At Sahodari, we celebrate these heroes as part of transgender empowerment in India. Our scholarships, Trans Entrepreneur Project, and Red Wall Project help trans women rise, just like these firsts. You can join us. Let’s build an India where every trans person can be a first.