The Department of Sociological Studies organised second One Day National Workshop on Awareness Program on Transgender Act, 2019 And Rules, 2020 on 27th February, 2025 which was sponsored by National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, New Delhi. The event comprised of mainly three sections- inaugural, sessions and discussion and valedictory. The inaugural session commenced with Chandanam (Tilak), followed by deep-prajwalan (Lighting of lamp), kulgeet and felicitation. Dr Reshma Prasad, founder of Dostana Safar, Patna was the chief guest of the event and was felicitated by Hon’ble Vice-chancellor Professor Kameshwar Nath Singh. Professor M. Vijay Kumar Sharma, the Head of the Department of the Sociological Studies felicitated Hon’ble Vice-chancellor Professor Kameshwar Nath Singh, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya.
The event formally started with welcome address of Professor Sharma in which he congratulated Dr Reshma Prasad for her exemplary work which she has been doing from more than 30 years for the transgender community in India. The chief guest also released the placement brochure for the Social Work Students of the Department. Dr Haresh Narayan Pandey, the convenor of this workshop briefly introduced the theme. He highlighted the historical existence of transgender, their movements and legal battles for greater recognition and protection, TG Act, 2019 and Rules 2020 for their identity and social inclusion in Indian society. Dr Shantigopal Pain, the Controller of Examinations appreciated such initiative of the Department and highlighted the significance of awareness programme in India. A short documentary was screened pertaining to transgender’s life and their lived experiences. Dr Reshma Prasad talked about the need of acceptance and freedom given to this community to choose their self -perceived identity in India in her guest address. She also emphasised on making our homes safe places for them so that there could be no need of establishing garima grih ( shelter home for transgender). The Vice Chancellor in his presidential address highlighted that how we can achieve our aim of Vikasit Bharat 2047 if we alienate and discriminate the transgender community from various walks of life such as health, education, employment, etc. He suggested to make our University campus more gender inclusive and to conduct more such kind of awareness and sensitization programmes. The chief guest in her presentation emphasised on intersectionality of gender and sexuality and their problems and challenges encountered by transgenders in their daily life. Dr Ravandra Singh Jadaun, a senior advocate Uttar Pradesh High Court, as a resource persons of the workshop spoke on TG Act 2019 and Rules 2020 in a very lucid manner. He also briefed on smile scheme to the audiences. There was also an interaction session with the chief guest where she responded several questions posed by participants.
The valedictory session was marked with the auspicious presence and ideas of Professor Pranav Kumar, Dean School of Social Sciences and Policy; Professor Pawan Kumar Mishra, DSW of the University, Professor Sharma, and Dr Pandey regarding this workshop. Dr Aditya Mohanty from the Department proposed the vote of thanks. The participants in the workshop were more than hundred which included various students like research scholars, MSW students, Master students from Sociology, History, Political Science, Commerce, Psychology, Geography, Economics, Law and Governance, Media and mass Communication, etc. and faculties such as Professor Anil Kumar Singh Jha, Dr Jitendra Ram, Dr Priya Ranjan, Dr Parijat Pradhan, Dr Kabeer AP from the Department. The programme concluded with National Anthem.
