Published Paper Details:

Transgenders has been a part of the Indian subcontinent since the time immemorial. The transgender community is one of the most marginalised and vulnerable section in the society and for decades, the community has struggled for acceptance, equality and social identity. As per 2011 census, the total population of transgenders in India is around 4.88 lakh, and in Odisha the population is approximately 20,300 but the majority of them are invisible in mainstream society. Odisha is the first region in India to givesocial welfare benefitsto transgender people such aspension, housing and food grains. These benefitsare aimed at improving their overall socio-economic status with an objective to empower the community and strengthen their livelihood. In 2017, the Government ofOdisha formulated an umbrella scheme 'Sweekruti' to secure the rights of transgender community and ensure equitable justice. The scheme aims to provide legal aid, counselling and guidance services for transgender persons. In 2014, their hard fought battlesled toa milestonevictory whenIndia's apexCourt finallyrecognized transgender personas a "third gender".But unfortunately, the transgender community were remain an ignored and neglected segment of our society and faced pervasive discrimination, despite various protectiveprovisions underlying in thegovernment policy . Transgender individuals often face discrimination, marginalization, and exclusion in almost all aspects of socio-economic life, including employment, housing, education, and healthcare. This exclusion has a significant impact on their quality of life and on their inclusion process. Their constant social ignorance or disregard at the hands of general people create constant hindrance in their social inclusion process. Withthis backdrop, the present paper explores the innovative measures taken up by the state government through social entrepreneurship schemes for empowering and creating a new identity for the transgender community.Further objective is to examine and asses the implementation andimpact ofvarious government policies and bring out a constructive plan and solution to their problems.