#ISurvived2020: Never felt so isolated in my life: Vidya Rajput

Saying goodbye to a terrible year, trans rights activist Vidya Rajput from Chhattisgarh recalls how 2020 isolated and almost broke her from within but she made it to 2021- hoping that this year will dawn on a positive note.
“Being a social activist and trainer, my job is to work closely with volunteers and students which was halted due to the lockdown.I was completely dependent on the fieldwork for money- so I was not just out of work- but isolated and without money and food. Although I have been living alone for a decade now, 2020 made me feel so isolated that it broke me from within- my mental health started deteriorating, suicidal thoughts made a comeback and loneliness crept in. I decided to stay with my family for my survival, so with the help of an ambulance- I went to take shelter at my family home but they are still ashamed of my existence.

They asked me to remain in the confines of my room when neighbours came to our home, I was asked to eat separately. I felt so disempowered -even though I have won awards nationally, did so much social work, challenging the status quo- yet I was treated like a lowlife. I thought of just leaving and walking towards any direction to escape that, tried reaching out to my landlord- who denied entry to outsiders but I had no option but to stay there till I could leave. I started doing all household chores to keep myself occupied.

In the isolation, I went deep in my thoughts- I was in such a bad shape, what was it like for the trans community who unfortunately still depend on begging and sex work to earn money. They had it worst. I wrote letters to different organisations, NGOs and even to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to arrange meals for the trans community. I used my voice via social media and managed to arrange food and shelter for the trans community. Around 42 of trans people including me got housing under the government’s 2 per cent housing scheme in Chhattisgarh.
The year took a positive turn when I found my life partner online while working on so these projects- he is a transman and together, we are also helping to build a community care centre for 200 trans people where they can be taken care of. I am also helping trans students for training for the police department physical exam. So, working towards my community and witnessing things change kept me going in 2020 and I am very hopeful to start this year on a positive note- with my life partner. Have finished writing a novel and focussing on the positives like giving back to the world.”