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Hijras of Panscheel Park, New Delhi, India, 1994.
"Hijras have earned an income from the Indian government for collecting taxes from the villages and cities, the most effective method ever employed by the India government in collecting taxes still used in some cities. Hijras are often encountered on streets, trains, and other public places demanding money from young men. If refused, the hijra may attempt to embarrass the man into giving money, using obscene gestures, profane language, and even sexual advances. Hijras also perform religious ceremonies at weddings and at the birth of male babies, involving music, singing, and sexually suggestive dancing. These are intended to bring good luck and fertility. Although the hijra are most often uninvited, the host usually pays the hijras a fee. Many fear the hijras' curse if they are not appeased, bringing bad luck or infertility, but for the fee they receive, they can bless goodwill and fortune on to the newly born. Hijras are said to be able to do this because, since they do not engage in sexual activities, they accumulate their sexual energy which they can use to either bestow a boon or a bane." Wikipedia.
PS: On April 15, 2014, the Indian Supreme Court granted hijras or transgenders the "third gender" status as "Other Backward Class", that is, be treated as socially and economically backward under the Indian Constitution. From now on, hijras or transgenders will be included in policies that allocate quotas in jobs and education. The ruling by Justice KS Radhakrishnan and Justice AK Sikri can be accessed at: supremecourtofindia.nic.in/outtoday/wc40012.pdf
Hijras of Panscheel Park, New Delhi, India, 1994.
"Hijras have earned an income from the Indian government for collecting taxes from the villages and cities, the most effective method ever employed by the India government in collecting taxes still used in some cities. Hijras are often encountered on streets, trains, and other public places demanding money from young men. If refused, the hijra may attempt to embarrass the man into giving money, using obscene gestures, profane language, and even sexual advances. Hijras also perform religious ceremonies at weddings and at the birth of male babies, involving music, singing, and sexually suggestive dancing. These are intended to bring good luck and fertility. Although the hijra are most often uninvited, the host usually pays the hijras a fee. Many fear the hijras' curse if they are not appeased, bringing bad luck or infertility, but for the fee they receive, they can bless goodwill and fortune on to the newly born. Hijras are said to be able to do this because, since they do not engage in sexual activities, they accumulate their sexual energy which they can use to either bestow a boon or a bane." Wikipedia.
PS: On April 15, 2014, the Indian Supreme Court granted hijras or transgenders the "third gender" status as "Other Backward Class", that is, be treated as socially and economically backward under the Indian Constitution. From now on, hijras or transgenders will be included in policies that allocate quotas in jobs and education. The ruling by Justice KS Radhakrishnan and Justice AK Sikri can be accessed at: supremecourtofindia.nic.in/outtoday/wc40012.pdf