Guntur West MLA Madhavi appoints transperson as her PA

Vijayawada: Breaking the stereotypes surrounding transgender persons, Guntur West MLA Galla Madhavi has appointed one as her personal assistant (PA). The TDP legislator appointed 22-year-old Varshini, a BCom graduate, as her PA, earning praise from IT minister Nara Lokesh, who said she set a "golden standard" for others to follow.Madhavi, who previously raised the issue of transgenders in the assembly and advocated for a policy for their welfare, held a meeting with a group of transgender group leaders in Jan. She inquired if there was anyone with a decent education. To her shock, the group leaders said some of the members in their groups were B Tech graduates. The MLA immediately offered them jobs in her own firm.However, there was no response from anyone till April. It was only after Madhavi felicitated transgender women on International Women's Day that Varshini approached her, expressing her willingness to leave begging and join any job. "It took time for them to believe in an MLA also as they lost trust in society as a whole because of the rejections they faced everywhere," said Madhavi.Varshini's father died when she was a small kid. She used to live with her mother, who works as a domestic helper, and her brother, who is now working in an automobile showroom. Varshini was a normal boy till her high school days and later realised she was a special kid. "I started facing humiliation in the school itself but took a firm decision to continue my studies. We may earn money, but we can earn respect only through education," said Varshini.Madhavi said she specifically chose to appoint Varshini as her PA to give her respect. "Today, not only me, but everyone who comes to me respects her. I do not mind if they are doing it out of compulsion. I feel it is our minimum responsibility to show compassion and basic human respect towards everyone irrespective of gender," she added.Lauding Madhavi, TDP national working president Lokesh said this is the kind of "progressive change" the society needs today. "Salute to Galla Madhavi garu. By appointing a transgender person as her PA, she is proving that leadership is about empowering the marginalised," he posted on X.