You won’t find them begging at traffic signals or stripping to embarrass people into coughing up money. Yes, they are Hijras, but Hijras with a difference. Soon after living among their community, they realised they would rather return to their homes and earn a livelihood by dignified means.

Rakesh Vaghela had a lot going for him in Rajkot. But despite a 70% in HSC, Rakesh preferred the companionship of Hijras to college life, and moved out of home to stay with the community. Always yearning to dress like a woman, Rakesh took on the identity of Archana to make the transformation complete. Read the full story.