'Challenges mount for transgender community'
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 09 2025: In collaboration with Advanced Research Consortium Library & Archives (ARCLA), Book Corner, a subsidiary of MitSna Foundation, organised a 'Meet the Author' session with transgender activist Santa Khurai on her book, "The Yellow Sparrow" in hybrid mode at the library's Singjamei Wangma Bheigyapati Leikai office on Sunday.

According to a press release issued by MitSna Foundation PRO Mangalleibi Kongbam, the session was moderated by Tourism Department director Pooja Elangbam.

'Challenges mount for transgender community'

Speaking during the event, Santa recalled several amusing as well as unwanted incidents in her life along with elaborating on her gradual realisation on rights of transgender and expressing resentment that despite some positive changes, the community still faces considerable challenges.

She continued that Manipuri society is complex and that the concept of gender needs further discussion.

Santa Khurai is also gender rights scholar, writer, artist, and secretary of All Manipur Nupi Maanbi Association (AMANA).

She has collaborated with different national and international organisations such as the United Nations to promote and protect the rights of LGBTIQ+.

Her book, "The Yellow Sparrow" has been shortlisted for Asia's grandest Rainbow Award and the Ramnath Goenka Sahitya Samman Award 2024.Santa is also scheduled to speak at a similar book talk event organised by the Institute for South Asian Studies as part of the Berkley Events, hosted by University of California in Berkeley, USA on March 15, 2025, the release informed.