Rawalpindi:
Punjab Vocational Training Centre (Literacy) Secretary Dr Pervez Ahmed Khan Tuesday inaugurated the first-ever training institute for eunuchs in Rawalpindi where transgender would learn free of cost different kinds of skills particularly tailoring, fashion designing and courses to become professional beautician.
The Punjab government would also provide transport facility to the eunuchs. On the completion of course, the government would also provide a loan worth Rs50,000 to each eunuch through Punjab Small Industries Corporation loan on interest free basis.
Punjab Deputy Secretary (Literacy) Kulsoom Saqib, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Saqib Zafar, District Officer (DO) Secondary Education Amjad Iqbal Bhara, Project In-Charge Nadeem Akram, District and Social Work Officer Shafiq Awan, Babli Malik, Madam Chandni and several other eunuchs were also present on the occasion. First class of 28 registered eunuchs was also held on Tuesday and after completion of their course they would get six-month course completion certificate.
Punjab Secretary (Literacy) Dr. Pervez Ahmed Khan said that they are following the orders of Supreme Court of Pakistan providing Identity Cards (ID) to eunuchs and opening newer sources of income for their welfare. “Initially, we have opened a training institute in Rawalpindi where eunuchs would get six months course certificates of different kinds of skills, which will be recognised not only at the national but also at the international level to make them a respectable citizen in society. Majority of eunuchs were begging, which is shameful not for them but for us as well thus we have taken this initiative,” he claimed.
“We have started classes of beauticians, tailoring and fashion designing for eunuchs and after it we would start computer classes for them as well. We would teach English, Urdu, Mathematics and Islamic Education to eunuchs as well in this institute and each and everything will be provided to them free of cost,” he said.
Deputy Secretary (Literacy) Kulsoom Saqib said that it is a hard task to educate eunuchs, but they have accepted it. She said that eunuchs could do every work if they are educated. “I see dozens of eunuchs begging at intersections and in streets, which is a bad thing. After completing six months diploma, they could earn money in a respectable manner,” she hoped.
Rawalpindi Eunuchs Association (REA) Chairperson Babli Malik strongly appreciated this bold step saying more and more eunuchs would get admission in this institute.
Babli also thanked Supreme Court of Pakistan and demanded of the government to continue this project without any break. She said that majority of eunuchs were begging only to earn a living. “We are very proud of that we are sitting with educated people and government is thinking of us seriously,” she said. At last, the secretary distributed stationary among registered eunuchs.
source: http://www.thenews.com.pk / The International News / Home> Islamabad / by Khalid Iqbal / Wednesday, March 27th, 2013