Subhransu Panda’s Novel Itara highlights the untold plight of transgender in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: As the world celebrates International Transgender Day of Visibility today (March 31), transgender community of Odisha shared their thought and stories with writer Subhransu Panda, the author of novel ITARA.

Itara is based on the plight and struggle of transgender community in Odisha.

In an event at a city hotel organized by leading publishing house Odia Media Private Limited, author Mr Panda shared the background of his novel and also read an excerpt of the book. Established transwomen like Samiksha, Meghana, Sadhana and Ayesha and transmen like Suman, Emmy and Sadabhis shared their own life journey and how did they come out of the stigma to establish themselves in the society.

Noted social activist Dr Mitali Mohanty from CINI also shed light on the journey of transgender movement in Odisha and the current scenario. Social activist Chandan Kumar Nayak gave the introduction.

There aren’t ample writings in Odia literature on this significant social issue. People, including many authors, still find it worthless to shed light on the untouchable issue of transgender.

Ironically, though most victims or subjects of the writings never have the opportunity to read their own stories or interact with the authors, a group of transgender people from various parts of Odisha met Subhransu Panda today.

This idea cropped up from a few of his NGO friends, who work extensively to uplift the life of LGBTQ, met Subhransu Panda in Bhubaneswar. They celebrate the “International Transgender Day of Visibility” together and share some quality time.