Odisha Police’s Initiative for Mainstreaming Transgender Community Gets FICCI Smart Policing Award

New Delhi: Odisha police’s initiative for mainstreaming transgender community has received the FICCI Smart Police Award 2020.

The initiative ‘Surabhi Milk Parlour’, which has come a long way in making third genders self-reliant, has received the Smart Policing Special Jury Award in the Other Policing Initiative category at FICCI Smart Police Award.

The Surabhi Milk Parlour was started in Gajapati district by the then Superintendent of Police Sarah Sharma in 2019 to provide livelihood opportunities for the transgender community.

It is situated in the campus of district headquarters hospital and is fully owned and managed by the third genders. The eatery provides high-quality food to patients, their attendants and other visitors at a reasonable price and in a clean environment.

The initiative has been widely appreciated for eradicating gender barriers and social stigmas towards third genders.

Sarah Sharma, who is currently the Sambalpur Division Vigilance SP, has expressed her happiness for the award.

She said, “I am elated that our initiative regarding transgender empowerment has received national recognition. I thank every member of the civil society of Gajapati ,the district administration, and my police team of Gajapati who have extended their support and made this idea a reality. I thank the transgender community of Gajapati and my seniors who trusted me and encouraged us to go ahead with this all transgender manned milk parlour in Gajapati”.

FICCI has instituted Award for best practices in SMART Policing to promote initiatives taken by the Police for the safety and security of Indian citizens.