Tamil Nadu: Tharika Banu becomes first transgender to pass 12th

Pic courtsey: ANI

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Board on Friday declared the results of class 12th examination and Tharika Banu has become the first transgender of Tamil Nadu to clear the examination. 

Following her achievement, Banu asked the state government to make sure that transgender community continues their studies. 

Banu did her schooling from Kamarajar Girls higher secondary School in Chennai. 

"After a long struggle, I was able to join a school. Many have helped with my studies," Banu said while talking about her journey. 

Banu was adopted by a transgender activist Grace Banu from Chennai some two years back. 

"My aim is to make her as a doctor," Banu told ANI. 

Thanking the education system, Tharika's Head Mistress M Mary said, "We gave her counseling and sufficient arrangements. Because of that, she was able to perform well in the exam." 

The transgender community is the least represented group in the public discourse and they continue to live with societal stigma and discrimination.

Thus providing them with educational opportunities will open will be a step towards bringing them in a more integrated society.