How often do you get in an auto or taxi and come out making a new friend?
It was one of those lucky days for Poonam Khinchi from Mumbai when she hopped into an auto-rickshaw. It was a routine ride until she noticed the auto-rickshaw driver’s long, bright pink nails.
“Itna lambha nakhun (Such long nails)?” she asked. “Didi, Eid ki tayaari kar rahi hoon (I’m preparing for Eid),” came the response.
That’s how the amazing auto ride with Manju, a transgender woman, began, as Poonam later recalled on her Facebook wall.
Poonam’s curiosity didn’t end with Manju’s long nails. Before they arrived at her destination, Poonam already had Manju’s entire life story with her.
During their short time together, Poonam learned that Manju currently lived with her boyfriend. She used to work at a hotel until she was fired because of her sexuality.
She later took up driving auto rickshaws and has been at it for five years now.
Even now, Manju shared that she can’t work till late hours due to fear of harassment from miscreants who pick on her for being a transgender.
Poonam’s ride with Manju ended, but that didn’t stop her from giving a shout out to Manju for showing such resilience and spirit when facing discrimination.
Her post has gone viral since and rightly so.
To Manju, and more like her who have the courage to face odds: you do you, girl!
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