In a remarkable move to promote inclusivity and local produce, the South Central Railway has allocated a stall to transgender entrepreneurs under the ‘One Station One Product’ (OSOP) scheme at the newly-opened Cherlapalli railway terminal. This initiative aims to address two socio-economic concerns by providing a platform for transgender individuals to showcase and sell their products, while also promoting locally manufactured goods.
The OSOP scheme, which was announced in the Union Budget of 2022-23, has been a game-changer for many entrepreneurs, including those from the transgender community. The scheme uses railway stations as promotional hubs to showcase indigenously manufactured products, and the SCR has taken it a step further by giving a trolley stand to transgender entrepreneurs at Cherlapalli.
For the beneficiaries, having a stall at the Cherlapalli terminal is more than just selling products – it’s an opportunity to be visible, interact with the public, and show that they’re capable of much more than what people think. The stall and trolley are symbols of their progress towards equality and recognition. The stall offers a range of hand-made products like jute bags, soaps, and snacks, all made by the transgender entrepreneurs themselves.
One of the beneficiaries, Jasmine, expressed her gratitude towards the Railways’ officials, the state and central governments for this initiative. She mentioned that for a long time, the transgender community faced exclusion and lack of job opportunities, but now they’re able to come together and start their own ventures. The stall is not just a means of selling products, but a platform for them to showcase their work and prove their capabilities.
The Cherlapalli railway terminal, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 6 this year, is a state-of-the-art facility with four new high-level platforms, lifts, escalators, parcel booking facilities, and more. The OSOP scheme is being operated at 205 Railway stations across South Central Railway, including 77 stations in Telangana, and has been a huge success so far.
This initiative is a shining example of how inclusivity and equality can be promoted through small yet significant steps. By providing a platform for transgender entrepreneurs to showcase their products, the South Central Railway is not only promoting local produce but also giving a voice to a community that has been marginalized for far too long. As Jasmine said, “Every step forward reminds us of how far we’ve come, and I’m looking forward to the future.” This is indeed a step in the right direction, and we can only hope that more such initiatives will follow in the future.