Pune News | Transgender Raju The Security Guard Aims to Revive Kirtan and Create Social Awareness
Pune: Pune News | In a groundbreaking move, the Security Department of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has opened its doors to transgender individuals, offering them an opportunity to prove their mettle in a new and empowering role. Raju Dinkar Doifode, a talented kirtankar and former kirtan singer, has seized this chance to not only protect the community as a security guard but also to revive the sacred art of kirtan and spread social awareness.
Transgender individuals have long faced numerous difficulties and challenges while navigating through society. However, recent revolutionary changes are gradually providing them with avenues to demonstrate their capabilities across various fields. For Raju, joining the PMC as a security guard was not just about a job but an opportunity to be a beacon of change.
Having studied saint literature and possessing a background as a kirtan singer, Raju yearned to educate society once again, this time as a transgender kirtankar. Encouraged by the presence of women in the kirtan field alongside men, Raju desires a rightful platform to perform kirtan, spreading a message of inclusivity and acceptance.
Reflecting on the journey, Raju shares, “As a young person, I struggled to understand my identity. But with time, I embraced my true self and aspired to learn kirtan in Alandi, hoping to witness positive changes in myself.” Enrolling in Jog Maharaj Shikshan Sansthan during the ninth standard, Raju discovered the profound knowledge within the realm of kirtan and an unwavering determination to make a mark in this sacred art form.
However, societal pressures and teasing from peers at the Warkari Education Institute hindered Raju’s progress in kirtan, causing great distress. Consequently, Raju left the institute and resorted to begging on the streets to make a living. Despite the hardships, Raju’s family came to understand and accept their true identity.
Embracing the power of kirtan to express innermost thoughts and emotions, Raju states, “In kirtan, it doesn’t matter how masculine the exterior appears; what matters is following the inner calling.” Though Raju has performed only a couple of kirtans thus far, the desire to engage in this sacred practice is resolute.
Looking forward, Raju seeks the encouragement and support of society and family to find a place in kirtan and utilize it as a platform for social enlightenment. Inspired by the contributions of men and women, Raju aspires to be a trailblazer, proving that transgender individuals can be agents of positive change and play a significant role in societal betterment.
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