Transgenders decorate Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, say their struggle is for acceptance

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 18 (ANI): Members of the transgender community were seen decorating a Durga puja pandal in the heritage tram 'Chaitali' in the Dharmatala Tram Depot of Kolkata.
"For the first time, it is happening. We are doing it in the Kolkata Esplanade Tram Depot," one of the organizers from the Puja committee said.
One of the members of the transgender community who was decorating the pandal said that their struggle is for acceptance and they need empathy and not sympathy.
"We want acceptance. Our struggle is for acceptance...We need empathy, not sympathy...Durga Maa stays amongst everyone. Durga Maa is very much symbolic," Sayantani Ghosh said speaking to ANI.
Incidentally on Tuesday, the Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to recognise the right of same-sex couples to enter into marriages or have civil unions and left it to the Parliament to decide the issue.
A five-judge Constitution bench unanimously said it cannot strike down the provisions of the Special Marriage Act (SMA) or read words differently to include non-heterosexual couples within its fold.
In another inspiring tale amid the Durga Puja celebrations, a 28-year-old girl was seen assisting her father making idols in Bhubaneswar. Her father is very proud of her as she "works like a son" to run the household.
Speaking to ANI, Sumitra Behera said, "I left my studies after Class VII and joined my father to help him at every workplace as he is ageing. I learned to make idols during the last 7-8 years, and am now giving the final touch at every pandal during the festive season. I am very happy that I could help my father in his profession and make him smile at the workplace." (ANI)