Social Justice for Kinnars a Priority; Says Minister
Patna: April 22, 2008
Government officials in Patna on Tuesday held a seminar on the welfare and rehabilitation of the members of the 'kinnar' (eunuchs) community saying efforts must be made to bring them into the fold of mainstream society.
Social Welfare Minister Damodar Rawat, while attending the seminar at the state Health and Family Welfare Institute, said the government had an obligation to improve the conditions of the kinnars who had been shunned and ignored by all for ages.
"The time has come that they are provided with the help that they need so they are encouraged to join the mainstream society and lead a normal life like other respectable citizens of the community," Rawat said.
Dr. Josh Kalpura, director of the Xavier Social and Research Institute, said kinnars history could be traced back to the days of Mahabharat. "Even during the medieval period, they were employed by kings and rulers to guard their harems. However, their existence has been ignored for centuries and it is about time that they also get their share of the pie of a developed democracy," said Kalpura.
The seminar was attended by a number of kinnars from various states including Orissa, Tamil Nadu and various parts of Bihar.
Government officials in Patna on Tuesday held a seminar on the welfare and rehabilitation of the members of the 'kinnar' (eunuchs) community saying efforts must be made to bring them into the fold of mainstream society.
Dr. Josh Kalpura, director of the Xavier Social and Research Institute, said kinnars history could be traced back to the days of Mahabharat. "Even during the medieval period, they were employed by kings and rulers to guard their harems. However, their existence has been ignored for centuries and it is about time that they also get their share of the pie of a developed democracy," said Kalpura.
