Spreading awareness about gender rights is extremely important and many have taken the responsibility to do it through various channels. However, the Noida Metro Rail Corporation decided to take it a step further by naming one of its metro stations and dedicating it to the transgender community. Read on to know more.
Noida Metro Station Named as ‘Rainbow Station’
On June 24, 2020, the Noida Metro Rail Corporation announced that it would be naming the Sector 50 metro as ‘Rainbow Station’ to spread awareness about transgender rights. The initiative, however, doesn’t stop there. In conversation with a national daily, the CEO of Noida Authority and the managing director of NMRC, Ritu Maheshari revealed that they also intend to employ people from the same community as well.
Noida: Sector-50 station of Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) to be made a dedicated station for transgender community. Ritu Maheshwari, Noida Authority CEO says, "Transgender community will be provided employment at the station. Station will be open for all commuters". (21.06) pic.twitter.com/E4cDrlmCTe
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) June 21, 2020
The name selection of the station has happened after indulging in careful and extensive dialogues with NGOs and certain individual representatives in order to make sure that the LGBTQ ( Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning) doesn’t feel disrespected in any possible way. The station was initially named ‘SheMan’, which attracted a lot of negative feedback from people. Now, it has been changed to Rainbow Station.
Also read: IRCTC Offers 40% Concessions To Transgender Senior Citizen
Kochi Metro Rail Ltd Had Employed 23 People From Transgender Community In 2017
A move that broke the ground in terms of gender equality, was initiated by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd in 2017. They employed 23 people from the transgender community, that was lauded. According to a census, which has also been referred to by the NMRC, states that there are around 4.9 lakh transgenders in the country. As per the data released in 2011, approximately 30,000 – 35,000 of those are staying in the National Capital Region.
Also read: Kochi Metro Installs Breastfeeding Cabins
The Sector 50 Metro Station is located on Aqua Line that connects Noida to Greater Noida. The services are currently discontinued because of the lockdown, however, the process of sanitising coaches and precautionary measures has begun.
We are glad to know, that the commute will resume with such positive attitude!
First Published: June 25, 2020 3:46 PM