Harshini Brahmavar

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Nov 30: Anybody can have or acquire shortcomings during different stages of life. A determined bid to overcome them and achieve something in life alone can see such people through their difficult phase and emerge successful. One such person happens to be Sanjeev Vandse, who in spite of being a member of sexual minority, has been accepting challenges which came his way, and turning into a model for others to emulate by leading a fully self-reliant life.

Sanjeev Vandse was born in a poor family and did not have an opportunity to get schooling. Since a very young age, he worked in small hotels and shouldered the responsibility of running the family. Normally the people believe that the people from third gender are doomed to seek alms or get involved with sex trade. But Sanjev is different from those who think on these lines. Because of his burning desire to lead a self-reliant life, Vandse has set up a mobile canteen, 'Aasare Fastfood' at Manipal.

For setting up this canteen, Vandse raised a loan of one lac rupees from a bank at Manipal and subsidy of Rs 20,000 from the social welfare department. He has employed three persons in his canteen. Out of the profit he earns from running the canteen, Sanjeev earmarks funds towards providing nutritious food to ten HIV-affected children.

The customers have responded well to the new canteen. Within two months, there has been a considerable increase in the number of customers visiting this canteen, which is open from 6 am to 10 pm. He provides Idli, Poori, Buns, and Pulao in the mornings and chicken birayani at night. The people get lunch here at reasonable price. Vandse says that he is able to sell items worth around Rs 4,000 every day. After deducting expenses, he saves aout Rs 8,000 per month, he confessed.

"I needed capital of Rs 1.4 lac for starting a self-employment project. Syndicate Bank lent me to buy fast food mobile cart. I have been repaying the loan promptly," Sanjeev says.

Sanjeev, 41, has registered himself for donating his mortal remains to Kasturba Hospital Manipal upon his death. In spite of his difficult life, Sanjeev Vandse has not followed the beaten path of seeking alms. He has chosen to become self-reliant by starting a mobile canteen, thus becoming a role model for others like him.

Sanjeev had in the past, worked with Veenadhari, Mangaluru. He has also worked for Jeevan Sangharsh Udupi, Spoorthidhama Beloor, Deepajyoti, Guard, Family Planning Association, KNP Plus, Sangama Bangaluru, Karnataka HIV/AIDS affected Peoples Organization, Karnataka State Sexual Minorities Forum, Sarathya Bengaluru etc which happen non-government voluntary service entities and also HIV/AIDS affected people, sexual minorities, and their rights.

Sanjeev works as personal counsellor for Ashraya Samudaya organization here. He has been concentrating on HIV/AIDS affected persons and sexual minorities. With the burning desire to lead a normal life, he has opened his fast food centre. "Sexual minorities need not always depend on begging or sex trade. It is possible for them to lead a self-reliant and honourable life. If the society treats everyone equally, this becomes easily possible," Vandse remarked, speaking to Daijiworld.

Sanjeev Suvarna Vandse belongs to Kundapur taluk. Just because he belonged to third gender, he faced lot of ridicule and violence. Facing lot of abuse and pain, he came to the town and settled down here. He has taken leadership in working for the HIV-affected children and protection of rights of the sexual minorities.

"I have started self-employment venture two months back along with a youth who was driven out of his home for belonging to sexual minority. With the support of deputy commissioner, Priyanka Mary Francis and the municipality, I have got space to begin my canteen near the bus stand. But now road widening between Malpe and Manipal has begun. I am now worried about the prospects of my hotel getting shifted," he revealed.

Sanjeev confesses that he had lost his parents at birth and now has started his own business on account of his burning desire to become independent. He says that out of his income, he has been looking after his elder brother, who has been ill since the last ten years.

Thousands of people belonging to sexual minority who normally are born as male but grow into a female in course of time, are unable to express their feelings to others. The society does not allow people identified as third gender to live with the community. "The society does not give us even a small opportunity to live with honour. Therefore, such people are normally forced to seek alms or indulge in sex business. There are innumerable persons who cannot join the mainstream and are leading their lives in darkness. Our 'Aasare' organization tries to come to the rescue of such people," Vandse explains.