India’s first transgender HR professional, Madhumitha Gomathinayagam, holds 16+ post graduations in different areas and is currently working as a Manager — HR at Avacend Solutions, Chennai. A multi-faceted personality she is a Social Activist, Tri-linguist, Yogini, Counsellor, Nature Lover, Continual Learner, Speaker, Value Educator and also Volunteers in several NGO’s in Chennai for Social Causes. Madhumitha Gomathinayagam opens up to Harrita Narayan about breaking stereotypes.
Being a transgender, how did you tackle all the societal taboos and yet thrive in your life?
I am a woman with a purpose in life and big dreams in my heart, I keep focusing on that so that I could easily identify and strategise a plan to escape from negative elements from my school, college, corporate and society. I have always been optimistic in my thinking and that has paved the road to success.
How do you utilize your time efficiently? And how are you able to accomplish all of it?
Unfortunately, I have ONLY 24 hours on a day, so I plan it well to spend it for my profession, continual lifelong learning, Social Services like Awareness for Children and Youth, CleanUp of Oceans, Rivers, Lakes, Ponds and Forests; Empowerment of Woman, Scribe & Reading for Visually Challenged Students, Tree Plantation, Gender Sensitization Programs for Corporate, Colleges and Schools, Road Safety Program for Public, Awareness Wall Painting, First-Aid Provider during Medical Emergency, Educational and Career Counselling & Guidance for Government School Children, Unemployed Youth and societal need-based programs.
When did you realize that social work was your calling?
I am a hardcore social animal, always wanted to be with people but being a transgender I have been rejected by them, and was isolated. During my college life, there was a Village Primary School lacking teachers to teach. So I volunteered to teach English for those kids after my college hours, there began my journey into volunteering. Children didn’t care about my gender identity and became my friends. “Volunteering as a tool for Social Inclusion” is something that I read and understood it well and now scaling different heights on it.
What are your achievements thus far?
Beyond my Proud Qualifications, Prestigious Awards, Social Acceptance, Empowered Womanhood which was bestowed upon me by my parents, I feel the “Place I have in my People’s Heart is my biggest achievement.
What do you intend to do in future?
I want to gift “100 Empowered Youth” to my Mother India as dreamed by Swami Vivekananda, and also want to pursue my PhD and get my Doctorate and be called as Dr.Madhu.
To your fellow Trans members who are striving to raise against the societal norms- What would you like to say?
Dream on what you to want to achieve, challenges are part of our life, just face it as it would strengthen you and teach you about this wonderful life. Don’t hesitate to seek help from willing people for your Education, stick to moral values, respect every soul, be proud to be a transgender because it’s mother nature’s plan for you. •
