Chronology of RAAH Events

2024-
July:
29/7/23
Visit to Garima Greh
Donation drive- Team RAAH in collaboration with SFC Foundations

Description: The visit was intended to provide the Garima Greh residents with some kitchen appliances. Volunteers from SFC Foundation also accompanied the team and got to meet the residents and understand their struggles and needs. An Art Therapy workshop was conducted by the SFC volunteers where they would teach the residents methods to release their emotions in a constructive manner.

2023-
June:
30/6/23
LGBT+ Student Meet (Pride Circle in collaboration with Godrej Capital)

29/6/2023
Pride Education- For a Fireside Chat with Rainbow Parents (Zoom meeting)

Description: The session started with the panelists sharing their life journeys and struggles as a parent of a child belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community. Each panelist shared how when their children came out it provided them a different perspective on the gender stereotypes and also taught the parents about the meaning of the community. They each told the audience on how they have supported and brought their children in a way which helped them grow and accept themselves.

24/6/23
Visit to the Pride Parade- Azad Maidan

Description: Many LGBTQIA+ supporters were gathered at Azad Maidan. The event was followed by the host Savio, director and founder of colour positive starting introducing their sponsors and collaborators. The host also spoke about providing free HIV testing kits pan India. Next Ms. Ichha was asked to say a few words followed by the power couple and a few others.
Dr. Rudra vakil also gave a 2 minute speech on the purpose of Raah. Soon everyone gathered and proceeded for the pride parade. A huge pride flag was held high in the air by the community and the members of the LGBT community and allies marched across the ground. People gathered were flashing their unique placards.

20/6/23
Instagram Live- Role of institutions in Building Inclusion for Transpersons Speaker: Mahua Seth (Pride In Education and Pride Circle)

Description: The Live focused on the topic of the role of institutions in building inclusion for transperson. Dr. Swati Partani was interviewed by Mahua Seth on the importance of the inclusion of trans community in the educational sector and how the start of inclusion can be started from the root base of development. Dr. Swati Partani also informed the audience about the work of RAAH, how it started and what all RAAH has achieved in the past 4 years.

10/6/23
Visit to Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival

Description: Dr Swati Partani along with Dr Rudra vakil visited Kashish film festival organised by Solaris pictures and Hamsafar Trust to understand and connect with the community. The 14th edition of Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival celebrates Love and Inclusion.
From panel discussions to film screenings, this festival was indeed a memorable visit for us.

4/6/23:
Interview at The Trans Cafe

Description: Team RAAH visited The Trans Cafe (TTC) – A cafe owned, run and managed by transgender persons in Andheri West, to celebrate the pride month and conducted an interview of the employees working there. The motto of TTC is to serve delicious food at affordable rates with utmost respect to the customer. The team interviewed Mahi Pujari, a transgender woman working at the cafe, who spoke about her early life, professional interests. She told the team about how she celebrates the pride month, the working environment at the cafe, the initial reaction of the people and the obstacles encountered as well as the supportive response the cafe receives now from the customers. Mahi provided information about Zainab Patel, the director of The Trans Cafe whose aim is to encourage more entrepreneurship in the transgender community and provide a safe space to people from the LGBTQIA+ community.

April:
15/4/23:
Trans Inclusion Summit- WeWork BKC

Description: The Pride Circle organised a Trans Inclusion Summit to commemorate the International Transgender Day of Visibility. The Raah Volunteers were able to listen to Panel Discussions on best practices and implementable solutions for the trans community and have candid conversations at the Human Library with the trans community.
The team was also able to meet individuals owning various businesses at the Flea Market and watch movie screenings.

8/4/23
Closing and Certificate Distribution Ceremony of the Action Research based Skill Development Programme

Description: The skill development included two courses

1. English Language Literacy course was a 4-month course with 24 sessions divided into 4 hours a week for 12 weeks.
2. Digital Literacy course, which included MS CIT course of basic computer skills and MS Office. A 4-month course with 33 sessions was divided into 4 hours a week for 16 weeks with separate 50 e-learning sessions for practice.

Faculty members from the Department of English were involved for English Literacy and Grooming skills and Faculty for MS CIT, Government approved Digital Literacy course was hired. A qualified research assistant was hired from the trans community to facilitate the research process

March:
10/3/23
Transgender Employment Mela

Description: National Trans Mela organised by Tweet Foundation, felicitated Dr Swati Partani, Founder & Mentor at RAAH for the contribution in the skill development program to uplift the Transgender community.

February:
18/2/23

Interview With Mahi
Description: Team RAAH visited Shahid Tukaram Ombale Garden in Goregaon East. An interview was conducted here with the aim of gaining additional knowledge about the people belonging to the hijra community. Questions were asked to Mahi regarding her personal life, skills and views on the government policies for the transgender and hijra community. She described her experience of working everyday and expressed an interest in dancing and makeup.
Solutions were discussed for the upliftment of the people belonging to the community in various ways.

January:
6/1/23
Instagram Live- Spreading Awareness on Transgender Community (Team RAAH× Girl Up Delhi Coalition)

Description: The topics discussed in the live focused on spreading awareness about the transgender community. The speaker asked questions to DR. Swati Partani on regarding the journey of RAAH and the progress made by RAAH throughout its years. The second part of the session was related to Ashray who is a 20 year old queer student.

2022-
December:
28/12/22
Visit to Bambai Nazariya

Description: Team Raah visited Bambai Nazariya, A Cafe at Andheri West Lokhandwala. The food was good with a variety of Bombay Classics. Their ambience was one of a kind with a plethora of antiques and unique quotes related to the Transgender Community. In addition to this, to raise awareness an interview was conducted at Bambai Nazariya cafe with the purpose of getting a better understanding of the cafe and the experience of the transgender employees working there. The interview was planned to acquire information about the inclusive cafe through various questions asked regarding the inspiration of the cafe, professional qualifications and overall experience of the employees. The transgender employees who were interviewed spoke about their positive experiences and the job opportunity at the cafe that significantly made a difference in their life and introduced them to a new aspect altogether.

October:
13/10/22
Laptop Distribution Drive- for skill development programme (Initiative of Department of Child Development with Rotary Club of Bombay Airport and Garima Greh)

Description: As the Skill Development program was a full fledged and an ongoing process, the Rotary Club of Bombay Airport generously donated 13 laptops to Garima Greh residents. This donation enabled them to practice their teachings right at home. Maya Ma’am, alongside Rotarians and Garima Greh residents, showcased their heartfelt dedication to the program, while Maya Ma’am also shared her vision for improving residents’ lives. The event celebrated more than laptop distribution; it highlighted the remarkable growth of the students

August:
4/8/22
Launch of Project RAAH (Initiative of Department of Child Development with Rotary Club of Bombay Airport and Garima Greh)
Skill Development Programme

Description: During the ceremony esteemed guests from the Rotary club of Bombay Airport spoke about the progress this initiative would make for the Garima Greh residents and how it would change the residents life. Dr. Rajshree Trivedi, Principal of Maniben Nanavati Women’s College also spoke about how the idea for Project RAAH was initiated with the help of Dr. Swati Partani, Mentor and Founder of Team RAAH.

June:
20/6/22
Garima Greh visit

Celebrating pride month with Ms. Nishtha Nishant

Description: The initial meeting at Garima Greh was on 20/6/23 where Dr. Swati Partani and 3 core team members visited Garima Greh and spoke to the residents of Garima Greh and came to know the needs and requirements of the residents. After the initial meeting a skill development programme according to the needs of the residents was conducted at MNWC.

2021-
November:
2/11/21
A Helping Hand- Ration Distribution for Transgender Community (Conducted in Pritam Society, Santacruz)

Description: Team RAAH took the initiative to provide a talented transgender actress, Ms. Rose Shaikh a ration kit. Her building was undergoing a demolition which was leading to eviction and difficulty in gathering resources.The ration given to her of Rs. 1240, included: 3 kilograms Rice, 3kg wheat flour, I kg tur dal1 kg moong dal, I kg masoor dal I kg sugar,I kg salt, I litre cooking sunflower oil , 500 gms poha, 500 gms Rava, 250 gms Red chilli powder , 250 gms Haldi powder, 250 gms urad dal papad, 250 gms tea powder, 2 pkt Biscuits, 2 soaps, 4 face masks and 1 bag.

July:
10/7/21
Give With Dignity- Hygiene kit distribution drive [Conducted on the campus of Maniben Nanavati Women’s College]- RAAH in collaboration with Mukul Madhav Foundation, Finolex Pipes, Volunteer For India, Kathir, Women’s Graduate Union,Vishwa Sindhi Seva Sangam

Description: In this subsequent distribution drive, a group of people arrived from the transgender community and were distributed. Dr. Rajeshree Trivedi (Principal, Maniben Nanavati Women’s College) and Dr. Swati Partani (HOD, Child Development, MNWC) greeted all those present and distributed hygiene kits to the representatives. The kits contained: Masks, sanitiser bottles, organic soaps, hand towels and tissue papers.

June:
22/6/21
Raah Ration Distribution Drive [Conducted on the campus of Maniben Nanavati Women’s College] – RAAH in collaboration with Mukul Madhav Foundation, Finolex Pipes, Volunteer For India, Kathir, Women’s Graduate Union,Vishwa Sindhi Seva Sangam

Description: The event was coordinated by Adv. Gauri Chhabria (President, Women’s Graduate Union), Dr. Rajeshree Trivedi (Principal, Maniben Nanavati Women’s College) and Dr. Swati Partani (HOD, Child Development, MNWC). The items for the ration kits were bought from those whose business has been suffering a loss in the pandemic. Hence, this event has helped both the providers and the receivers. The ration kits were then distributed among the transgender persons. Ration kits, each kit sufficient for 4 individuals were distributed to transgender beneficiaries. Each kit contained 18kgs of basic grocery items like rice, dal, oil, etc. as well as personal hygiene items such as soaps and masks.

April:
25/4/21
Gender Affirming Surgical Interventions: An Overview
(a webinar to spread awareness among trans persons about the surgery, it’s pros and cons, and available facilities)
Speaker: Dr. Sanjay Sharma

Description: This online event from 6 pm to 7.30 pm focused on providing information about the gender affirming surgical procedure for transgender individuals. Through this event the members of the transgender community present were able to understand the process of gender affirmative surgeries in India and how they can reach out to Raah and ATHI to seek help for the same. Dr. Sharma carefully explained different terms essential to understand the surgical procedures involved in transitioning. Dr. Sharma was extremely happy with the conducting of the event, especially Raah’s contributions and wishes to have future, more fruitful collaborations.

18/4/21
Decoding gender (gender sensitisation program for youth) Speaker: Ms. Kajal Makwana

Description: The objectives of this online event held from 6pm to 7.30 pm were to raise awareness among the youth about the different gender identities, to explain importance of respecting each gender identity and to inculcate an understanding of which queer affirmative actions can be practiced to make everyday circumstances more queer-inclusive. The speaker gave techniques and easy methods to become an effective ally. There were open discussions about the transgender community and the status they hold today in India, what is meant by “Gender Equality” in context of the 21st century perception, how the youth can work towards an inclusive and equal future were among other topics that were discussed

11/4/21
Eclipsing Gender (gender sensitisation program for parents) Speakers: Aruna Desai and Atul Kumar

Description: This event had the aims to sensitize parents about gender and their understanding of the transgender community, to inform how parents can be effective allies to the community, to provide parents with ways to support their children in the journey to understanding themselves, to share resources which parents could visit to learn more about transgender youth and what steps they could take if they had a child who is transgender and to emphasize the importance of mental health and how LGBTQ+ affirmative counselors can help in this journey for both parents and children. The speakers kindly shared anecdotes and advice, Aruna Desai Ma’am being the proud parent of a brilliant gay son and Atul Kumar Sir being the proud father of a successful trans women.

2020-
November:
22/11/20
Trans-Jan: a conversation with the members of the transgender community

Speakers: Sonakshi Makwana, Sridevi, Satvik

Description: The objectives of the session were to create awareness about the transgender community among the youth through a conversation with the members of the community itself, to help eradicate transphobia through educating the youth about the community and to sensitize the youth about the community to ensure a more equal space for transgender individuals in the society. An online webinar and interactive session conducted from 6:45 pm to 8:15 pm. Mr.
Satvik, co-founder of Transmen Collective, Ms. Sridevi, Mumbai University’s first transgender teacher and Ms. Sonakshi Makwana, a queer ally were invited as the speakers. Ms. Nishtha Nishant was the moderator. Mr. Satvik and Ms. Sridevi shared their personal stories and experiences, and Ms. Sonakshi shared her journey of being an ally. They provided information on various topics such as gender, sexuality, hormone replacement therapy, process of transitioning, etc

20/11/20
Beyond Gender: Unmasking Gender Norms Speaker: Sachin aka Maya Urmi Aher

Description: The session succesfully covered its aims to create awareness among the youth about the transgender identity, to make society more accepting of the transgender community and to help ensure the eradication of verbal and physical abuse that the transgender community is subjected to. This was made possible with the presence of honorable speaker Sachin a.k.a Maya Urmi Aher (Founder of Tweet Foundation, Master Trainer of sex, sexuality & gender,SRS Surgery, Human and their fundamental rights) who interacted with the participants, shared their experience and participated in an interview conducted by membersz of Team Raah.

September:
6/9/20
KAVACH Clothes distribution drive- On the occasion of Liberation Day.

Description: A clothes distribution drive conducted to provide clothing to members of the transgender community during the lockdown as RAAH in collaboration with Rotaract Club of Andheri, Ekta Foundation (Donation Partner) and Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust (Distribution Partner). A total of 60 members of the transgender community were provided clothes.

August:
15/8/20
Azadi ke Lafz (RAAH in collaboration with Project KINNARRAMBH, Rotary district 3141)

Description: On the occasion of 73rd Independence day members of the LGBTQIA+ community were invited to speak and convey what freedom and independence means to them. This was an online event, we had in our midst the community members who spoke for 1 minute or less what freedom means to them. It was amazing to hear all the participants without any language barrier. There were several participants who sent in their words and heartfelt expression of freedom through poems, speech and many more formats. There was plenty of creativity and the final video, uploaded on the Youtube channel of Team Raah, conveys the power of their words

April:
23/4/20
Project Poshan (RAAH,distribution partner- Humsafar trust and Aarju Foundation)

Description: This project was initiated to provide nutritional packets to HIV positive patients of the transgender community. Funds were raised, and things like khajoor, mixed dry fruits, amla candy, peanuts- chikki, chyawanprash were provided in this pack. A total of 62 members of the transgender community afflicted by HIV received such pack. This was done with help from volunteers from Humsafar Trust – Aarohi and Santosh. Packs of Black Dates were also distributed to PLHIV Transgender individuals with our distribution partner Aarju Foundation. As a part of Project- Poshan, RAAH also has nutritious videos which are shared on our youtube channel, facebook as well as on the official RAAH website to help the community be fit and strengthen their immunity

12/4/20, 13/4/20 and 15/4/20
Lockdown: Think. Grow. Fly

Description: A competition conducted by RAAH over the course of three days with the topic: ParentsMy H2O. This event had 3 events namely; Spreading positivity- Make a meme competition, Strength of colours- Painting Competition, Power of word- Write a quote competition. There was no registration fee for this event and anyone from all over India was permitted to participate. The turnout was 44 individuals registered themselves from different states and 21 individuals sent their entries via email to the RAAH team.After the evaluation the results were announced on 21st April 2020 on RAAH’s Facebook page and website. All participants and winners were provided with e-certificate through email. This event helped to

know about their understanding for the transgender community and to allow them to express their creativity and thoughts in support of the community.

March:
3/3/20
Block Printing – Skill Development Program Activity [Conducted on the campus of Maniben Nanavati Women’s College]

Description:The 1st Skill Development Programme conducted by Raah developing skills of Block Printing and conducted by the teacher/professor of B.Design from Maniben Nanavati Women’s College. It was attended by two individuals from the transgender community. The members of the transgender community left with proper knowledge in the craft of block printing and the efforts were a success. This provided them basic knowledge for engaging in crafts as a useful trade skill that could help them stand on their own financial backing and work for themselves, earn money. This new skill gave the memebrs of the transgender community an avenue for creativity and self expression while also adding to their skill set.