INTRODUCTION

Hon'ble Justice KS Radhakrishnan of supreme Court of India has said, "Recognition of transgenders as a third gender is not a social or medical issue but a human rights issue." [ref. 12]

Transgender community comprises of Hijras, eunuchs, etc. Term Transgender existed since 9th century BC. The word has roots in Greek and means "Keeper of the bed". There was historical evidence of recognition of " third sex" or persons not confirm to male or female gender are considered as transgender. In the contemporary time the Government of India introduced so many welfare policies and schemes such as, census, issuing of the citizenship ID Cards, socio-economic development and constitutional safeguards for the transgender people. Third gender community has strict hierarchy which is different from general community. Third gender individuals live together in a household, usually called "gharana" (tradition), headed by "Nayak" (topmost leader and mentor) and few "Gurus" (next level leaders and mentors). Several Chela (disciples) live under one "Guru".

Coronavirus disease is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome. Outbreak of virus began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and in India the first infected person of this disease was traced out on 30th January, 2020 in the state of Kerala. The virus spreads man to man through droplets and aerosols of an infected person when he and sneezes in front of an uninfected person.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nation-wide lockdown on 24th March 2020, to curb community spread of coronavirus. Due to sudden lockdown people started collecting groceries, medicine, etc. But at the same time third gender community were not getting it at the respective shops as they are supposed to be the neglected part of the society.

Covid-19 Pandemic has significant impact on the health, economy and social security of the transgender community. This community has faced socio-economic challanges at a different level. Many transgenders do not have the necessary documents, such as voter-ID card, ration card, etc. Due to which they were not able to avail the resources provided by the government to the poor. Lockdown imposed by Indian government during initial COVID period increased risk of hunger and poverty of transgenders since most of them make their living on streets by begging, and entertaining people in functions like weddings and baby showers. They are socially marginalized and are forced to live their life in slums and barring a few they are very poor, downtrodden and helpless living life of destitute. Lockdown has increased their plight by halting their income by pushing them deeper into the crisis to make ends meet. Transgenders are not socially accepted to the extent that they could operate within the online world hence they are not able to cope up with the normal people of the society. Since long the transgenders were socially discriminated and economically unstable and during the COVID period their situation worsened to the worst due to lack of food, fund, insecurity, safety, and mental health.

We are aware that every coin has two sides and this lockdown has proved to have both positive and negative sides as well. If it is decreasing the death rate due to COVID-19, then on the other hand it is also becoming a top most reason for ignoring the transgender community who are losing their life due to lack of socio-economic support and proper healthcare facilities by the government. Besides, only Kerala Government has taken initiative to provide temporary housing and food facilities for transgender individuals in this pandemic.

" When it comes to an outbreak-like situation in terms of coronavirus, when many patients are competing for limited healthcare resources, then naturally, one of the groups that get the least priority, in terms of access and availability of healthcare facilities, would be the transgender groups."

By Dr. Shaikh

HISTORY OF THIRD GENDER

Transgender Community includes Hijras, Eunuchs, Kothis, Aravanis, Gogappas, Shiv-shaktis, etc. Eunuchs have existed since 9th century B.C. The Vedas (1500B.C- 500B.C.) describe individuals were well known in pre-modern India, and included male bodied or female bodied people as well as intersexual, and that they can often to be recognised from childhood. The foundation work of Hindu Law, the Manu Smriti (200B.C. - 200A.D.) explains the biological origin of three sexes. In Indian language generally the Third Gender are known as "Hijra" which is derived from the Persian word "Hiz" which means who is effeminate or ineffective or incompetent. Another commonly used word is "Kinnar", whereas "Chakka" is used in a derogatory context. Third gender individuals live together in a household, usually called "gharana" (tradition), headed by "Nayak" (top most leader and mentor) and few "Gurus" (next level leaders and mentors). Several Chela (disciples) live under one "Guru".

It is believed that eunuchs are respected a lot during functions like weddings, baby showers, etc. According to the epic Ramayana when Lord Rama was leaving for the forest after being banished from the kingdom for 14 years, at that time his followers and asked not to go. He turned around to his followers, the Hijras alone feel bound by this direction and decided to stay with him. Being impressed by their loyalty, Rama granted them the power to confer blessing on people on auspicious occasions like child birth and marriage and also at inaugural functions in which it was supposed to set the stage for the custom of badhai in which Hijra sing, dance and confer blessing. So, this is the reason that they are respected during auspicious occasions and are pleasured with high amount and gifts.

The socio-economic condition of third gender was improving with the passage of time:

In ancient India different literatures and Purans came to know about the third gender it was the phase when third gender started to live their life with certain identity. Besides, they were given special power to confer blessings to the people.

Medievel India: third gender played an important role in the royal courts of the Islamic world specially in the Ottoman and the Mughal empire. They rose to well known positions as political advisors, administrators, generals, as well as guardians of harems. They also occupied high positions in the Islamic religious institutions, especially in guarding the holy places of Mecca and Medina as the person of trust.

In the beginning of the British period in the Indian subcontinent third gender used to accept protections and benefits by some Indian states through entry into the third gender community. Through the onset of the colonial rule from the 18th century onwards, the situations changed drastically. In the second half of the 19th century (period considered as Modern India), the British colonial administration vigorously sought to criminalize the third gender community and to deny them the civil rights.

Though the third gender community was given a high position in Mughal period and facing many problem and obstacles in British colonial rules. But now to safeguard the third gender communities there are many policies and schemes implemented by the government. The government has eradicated the discrimination towards these people if these socio-economic facilities will be given to the third gender community they can live freely and happily in the society.

STATUS OF THIRD GENDER IN INDIA

COVID-19 pandemic has created havoc across the world. An unstable scenario has been created in both developed and developing nations. Due to the unpredictable outbreak of coronavirus, all the sectors of the world including INDIA has faced a great amount of loss. Due to its infectious nature, India imposed complete lockdown to stop the spread of coronavirus. This has resulted in the great downfall of Indian economy.

According to our former RBI governor, Raghuram Rajan, Indian has faced greatest economic emergence till now. Fishing, agriculture, horticulture, and production of certain food grains relatively had a high negative impact. It has been observed that women were losing their job as compared to men at higher rate since women had to do household chores also. The drop of employment was found to be biased as those who were engaged in higher posts did not lose their job but some of the factory workers lost their job, because it is said that lower class people (factory workers) can't afford to maintain hygiene and many people around them in the factory.

Due to lack of testing kits, shortage of doctor, isolation wards in the developed area of India created a threatening-situations for Indians. With the sudden rise of confirmed cases India was not able to handle this pandemic situations. According to National Health Profit of India, 2019, India's expenditure on Health care as percentage of GDP was merely 1.28% which is lower than poorer countries of the world. Because of the high density of people in urban areas the rate of infection was increasing constantly which created a panic among the people living in urban areas.

Economic and health crisis was the two basic challenges during COVID-19 but many people also faced psychological challenges. Due to lockdown, rising rate of unemployment, sudden downfall in businesses, decrease of income, increasing inequalities in society, etc. Where some psychological challenges faced by the people. Every individual whether it be elder, younger, richer, poorer and government workers as well were suffering from anxieties stress, depression, anger and so forth globally.

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THIRD GENDER: POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC LIFE OF THIRD GENDER

Socio-economic condition expresses the social and economic status of the individual based on a individual based on income, occupation, and health. The third gender community is underprivileged community and the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has rose their socio-economic issues. The whole people of India were trying to overcome COVID-19 pandemic but the third gender community were fighting with it all alone. As a result of decades of social discrimination, the third gender people are segregated from the society. Moreover, they are dependent on paid sex, begging and offering blessings by being a part of the traditional activities do earn their square meals. After a nation-wide lockdown their life has took a miserable turn. They had to move from door to door to meet their ends but are being kicked by the general people and are treated as ostracized one. Changes that have been brought during COVID-19 pandemic in their socio-economic life are discussed below.

Following are the Positive and Negative Impacts:

Positive impacts:

Hygiene: Due to sudden breakdown of COVID-19 Virus people around the globe have been taking initiatives regarding their health and hygiene. Frequent repeatation of preventive measures like wearing masks, use of sanitizers, washing of your hands and social distancing, etc. Which has resulted an awareness between this community also.
Education & Employment: Due to lockdown and social distancing third gender people faced unemployment as they depend on begging on streets or traditional activities for their livelihood. They came to know about the importance of education and employment in different sectors like public and private. And now they are taking initiatives regarding their education and opportunities to get jobs in different sectors.

Negative Impacts:

Health Facilities:  Due to unavailability of healthcare facilities for the general poor public, there is extreme negligence towards the third gender as they are always ignored and neglected by the citizens and government. They don't have any access to the medical facilities provided by the government neither the free COVID-19 check-ups nor the isolation wards. They are not even admitted to the hospitals after being affected by the COVID-19 Virus and they are suggested for home isolation.
Unemployment:  Due to spread of COVID-19 Virus lockdown and social distancing was a must in the society by the government and third gender people faced unemployment as they depend on begging on streets or traditional activities like baby showers, weddings, etc. for their livelihood. They were compelled to live a life of misery and die due to hunger.
Decrease in their status:  Hijras are treated as social outcast in modern India also. The people living in the society don't consider third gender as the part of the society. They have been always neglected and ignored and during this pandemic they were not able gain the benefits provided by the government to the poor as people consider third gender more miserable than the poor of the society.
Negligence by the government:  The most neglected group of the society is the third gender community. Even when the COVID-19 free check ups, free medicin facilities and isolation wards, etc. are being provided to people of society by the government under different schemes the third genders are being ignored and not getting any benefits. They are not even as admitted to the hospitals after being affected by the Covid-19 virus and they are suggested for home isolation. The government is simply not paying any attention to the third gender of our society.

SIGNIFICANCE

Whenever any natural calamity occur it is hoped by the poor and other communities who are different from general society that they will get some benefits from the government. Though during COVID-19 pandemic poor people where benefited but third gender people where totally neglected.

We have chosen "impact of COVID-19 on socio-economic condition of third gender in Bihar" topic to convey message to the general people of the society about the socio-economic issues faced by transgender community during this lockdown. This study will also focus on the facilities provided to them both society and by the government.

OBJECTIVES

To find out if transgender community get equal benefits of Government policies during COVID-19.
To find out economic challanges faced by them during this lockdown.
To explore whether transgender is facing more problem than general people during lockdown.
To find out lack of job opportunities.
To examine unusual Mental Health due to uncertainty amid COVID-19.
To find out the nature of social discrimination that transgenders feel themselves segregated from the society.

CONCLUSION

The third gender community is one of the most unprivileged part of the society. Their livelihood is entirely dependent on activities like dancing and singing on auspicious occasions, begging and paid sex. Large number of individuals of the third gender community are daily earners but the demand of social distancing which only protects from the infection of coronavirus, has struck them. Consequently, lost of source of income during COVID-19 lockdown left them vulnerable to unemployment and tragedy. As they are not having essential documents like ration card, adhaar card, voter-ID or bank account does not certify them to avail government's policies which is implemented during this pandemic. Though the individuals of third gender community are gaining their legal rights are social identity but it was of no use during lockdown.

Moreover, the third gender should be provided benefits with such policies which in turn could upgrade their status and their way of earnings. Government must ensure that the third gender people are educated enough to do jobs in public and private sectors. All in all the third gender community should be given equal status in opportunities for them in all fields like teaching, bureaucrat, etc.

Study material

Impact Of Covid-19 Pandemic On Socio-economic Life Of Third Gender