We live in a country where talent often waits for permission, identity decides access, and many lives unfold far from comfort and choice. Some stories are not about success, but about claiming dignity in spaces where none is offered. Krishna Mohini’s journey begins exactly there.
Krishna was only nine years old when she was left on the streets of Delhi. Not because she had done something wrong, but because she was transgender. She never knew that her identity would become her punishment. Family turned away, and with that, childhood ended abruptly.
With no shelter, no protection, no family support and no guidance, the city became her teacher. Survival was no longer a phase for her but a daily responsibility.
Krishna Learnt How to Survive
Life on the streets demanded inner strength. Krishna sold flowers at traffic signals. She cleaned the car windows under the harsh sun. Each day was about earning enough to eat, to stay safe, to survive another night.
These were not dreams she chased but realities she accepted. Yet in these moments, she never let despair defeat her will. Giving up was never an option.
When Acceptance Came
When Krishna was 19 years old, she found her way into the transgender community. For the first time, she was among people who understood her without explanation. Finally, she found support, belonging, and emotional safety.
But life did not suddenly become easy. Employment remained inaccessible. Society continued to push her into the margins. Acceptance existed within the community, but opportunity outside it was still missing.
Judged Without Being Given a Choice
People often told her to earn money by working; however, the irony was quite painful. Despite Krishna wanting to work, no one was willing to give her any work. The doors closed before she could even knock.
Begging brought not only survival, but constant taunts and humiliation. Krishna understood that dignity could not survive long in that space. Something had to change. According to a report published in 2018 by the National Human Rights Commission, 96% of transgender people are denied employment and are compelled to do low-wage or dehumanising activities like sex work, begging or badhais for their survival.
When a Small Moment Brought a Big Realisation
One day, while travelling in a train, Krishna noticed a young child singing. People were happily listening to and smiling at him. They were willingly giving money, not out of pity, but appreciation. That moment stayed with Krishna, and soon she realised that art has power. Talent creates connection, and performance can demand respect in ways words cannot.
Choosing Art Over Pity
Krishna made a quiet but firm decision that she would no longer beg. She would earn through her talent. With no stage, no training, and no platform, she began performing wherever people were. Roads, buses, and trains became her stage. Her dance was not polished, but it was real. It carried emotion, struggle, and courage.
Slowly, people started noticing her, and judgment started turning into acknowledgement. People paid her not out of sympathy, but because they valued what she brought. For Krishna, this was the real victory. She was no longer invisible. She was seen, heard, and respected.
One Story, Many Realities
Krishna is not the only transgender person who has had to struggle for her survival. Her story shows us the reality of countless transgender artists across the country who are talented and capable, yet denied access to fair opportunities. They do not ask for sympathy. They ask for inclusion.
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