###Range-Level Workshop on Operation Smile Promotes Awareness on Transgender Rights

Udaipur: As part of the statewide Operation Smile initiative launched by Rajasthan Police, a range-level workshop on transgender rights and inclusion was organized on Thursday at the Vidya Bhawan Auditorium, Fatehpura, Udaipur. The programme was held under the directions of the Additional Director General of Police (Civil Rights & AHT), Rajasthan, Jaipur, and the Inspector General of Police, Udaipur Range, in collaboration with UNICEF Rajasthan.

Presiding over the workshop, Mr. Gaurav Srivastava, Inspector General of Police, Udaipur Range, emphasized that integrating transgender persons into the social mainstream is a collective responsibility. Addressing police nodal officers designated for transgender-related issues across the range and representatives of the transgender community, he stressed that safeguarding their rights requires greater awareness, sensitivity, and respect. He also directed police officers to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and ensure its effective implementation.

The technical session was led by Ms. Pushpa Mai, Director of Nayi Bhor Sansthan, who explained the legal provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, and shared best practices for police personnel while dealing with members of the transgender community. She highlighted the Rajasthan government's initiatives aimed at improving their welfare, healthcare, social security, and overall inclusion, while urging police officers to handle transgender-related cases with empathy and sensitivity.

Ms. Himali Leuwa, Child Protection Officer, UNICEF Rajasthan, described such workshops as an important platform for strengthening awareness and collaboration. She spoke extensively about the rights, protection, and safety of transgender children and stressed that ensuring a safe, respectful, and discrimination-free environment for them is a shared responsibility of society, law enforcement agencies, and child protection systems.

Ms. Chetna Bhati, Additional Superintendent of Police, Udaipur Range, urged police personnel working with the transgender community to perform their duties in accordance with the prescribed legal provisions. She noted that members of the transgender community deserve dignity and respect, adding that serving them with compassion is both a professional and humanitarian responsibility.

Psychiatrist Dr. Anjali Sharma delivered a session on mental health, explaining that psychological well-being is a fundamental necessity for every individual, regardless of gender or identity. Using presentations, she discussed the growing prevalence of depression and other mental health concerns, introduced available treatment facilities, explained counselling processes, and informed participants about the national mental health helpline 14416. She also highlighted the importance of healthy lifestyle and dietary habits.

Ms. Arushi Mem, Assistant Director, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, outlined various government welfare schemes for the transgender community. Department consultant Mr. Amit Bhatt explained the online registration process for transgender persons and provided details about pension schemes, scholarships, the SMILE Scheme, Garima Greh, the Transgender Welfare Board, psychological support services, and other free and subsidized government programmes.

UNICEF State Consultant Ms. Sindhu Binujit highlighted the objectives of the workshop and encouraged police personnel to deal with every victim approaching police stations or women's help desks with dignity and sensitivity, irrespective of gender identity. She said such programmes help strengthen coordination between the transgender community and the police while spreading awareness about legal rights and welfare provisions.

The workshop also featured presentations and videos on gender equality, followed by an interactive discussion in which participants shared the challenges faced in transgender-related cases and explored possible solutions.

More than 200 participants attended the workshop, including senior police officers from Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Dungarpur and Banswara districts, nodal officers, Childline representatives, members of the transgender community, officials from the Inspector General's Office, Women's Crime Research Unit, and representatives of the Policing for Care programme. The event was effectively anchored by Vidya Panwar.