Naleena Prasheetha, a second year Masters' student of the Visual Communication department of Loyola College, Chennai has created history by becoming the first transperson to be elected Associate Secretary of the College's students' union on Monday, 24 June.
The elections for the Loyola Students Union (LSU) were held on Friday, 21 June. A school dropout, who completed class XII as a private candidate, Prasheetha is also the first transperson to graduate from the college.
Speaking to The New Indian Express, Prasheetha said,
“Loyola is like my mother. The college has not just given me love but also made me what I am today. I am more confident because of the support the teachers and my friends have given me.”
Talking about her aspirations and plans, she said that she wants to empower women and increase awareness about the rampant cybercrime against women.
In her manifesto, she promised the students that she will take up their issues.
Prasheetha said, as per a report in The Hindu: "Students wanted a separate girls’ team for volleyball. I have decided that there will be separate teams for all sports played in the college. We also plan to offer self-defence courses for the students."
The new associate secretary of the college is a native of Dindigul, who decided to change her gender in 2011.
In a statement, the college, as reported by The New Indian Express, said: "For years, the transgender community has struggled to find a prominent place in educational institutions and workplaces."
"Naleena will be representing all women students of Loyola College in the Students Union and work for the welfare of women and their empowerment," it further added.
(With inputs from The New Indian Express, The Hindu)
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