Shifting gears: Radio cabs run by LGBT community to hit Mumbai roads

A project launched by Wings Travels and community organisation Humsafar Trust will train up to 300 members of the LGBT community to drive cabs in the city

The members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community will now literally shift gears to earn their livelihood. In a first-of-its-kind initiative by Wings Travel and Humsafar Trust, a city-based NGO, five members of the LGBT community will be trained to drive radio cabs.

LGBT community members (from left) Sharika, Shilpa Sharma and Sanjeevani at the launch of Wings Rainbow, a radio cab service by the LGBT community on Wednesday. (Arijit Sen/HT)

“It is so unfortunate that the LGBT community in India is either ridiculed or worshipped. They gave never been accepted in mainstream work environment of the society,” said Pallav Patankar, director programs, Humsafar Trust.

A project launched by Wings Travels and community organisation Humsafar Trust will train up to 300 members of the LGBT community to drive cabs in the city. (Arijit Sen/HT photo)

Patankar added, “In Thailand, people from the LGBT communities work in all sectors without being looked down upon. In India, there is a huge resistance from the corporates to involve this community.”

While only five members of the LGBT are currently a part of this initiative, more members from the community will be employed in the coming days.

“We have openings for nearly 1,500 LGBT members in Mumbai under the programme. We are aiming to turn it into a pan-India scheme,” said Arun Kharat, founder and director, Wings Travels.

(Arijit Sen/HT photo)

The members of the LGBT community will be able to earn nearly Rs 15,000 per month under the initiative.

Suraj Thakur, 25, is one of the five members of the LGBT community who is going to be trained as a part of this scheme He currently works at the Humsafar Trust.

Wings Travels can place about 1,500 LGBT drivers in its taxi fleet nationwide, said Arun Kharat, the company’s founder and director. (Arijit Sen/HT photo)

“People in our society just assume that members of my community earn their bread and butter by either working as sex workers or begging in trains. I too have a right to live my life with dignity. I am very happy and excited to have this opportunity of driving a cab to earn a living,” added Thakur.