Shamli Pujari, who underwent beautician training, faced difficulties in finding a regular job due to her gender identity. Despite being appreciated for her skills, salon owners refused to hire her because they feared it might put off customers. As a result, Pujari struggled to maintain a stable income as a freelance beautician. However, her situation changed on Saturday when she secured a job at ‘Transformation Salon’. This salon, located in Mumbai, is the first to be operated by transgender and LGBT communities.
The salon is being operated by the Pride Business Network Foundation, with initial support from Deutsche Bank and Rotary Club of Bombay. Deutsche Bank recognizes diversity and inclusion as important corporate goals and views opening the salon as a step towards creating equal opportunities for marginalized communities. According to Kaushik Shaparia, CEO of Deutsche Bank Group (India), the salon’s establishment is part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.
In addition to offering services such as manicures, pedicures, haircuts, and hair washing with a team of four beauticians and a manager, the salon also has a training center on the first floor. The training center aims to provide skills and knowledge to LGBTQ community members, enabling them to secure employment as beauticians in the mainstream market. Zainab Patel, head of the foundation and an advocate for the transgender community, emphasizes the importance of empowering marginalized community members through training. Patel previously opened a cafe run by transgenders in Andheri and has plans to open more salons in the city.
Vineet Bhatnagar, president of the Rotary Club of Bombay, expressed support for the salon as a means of promoting sustainable livelihoods and equitable opportunities for the deserving LGBTQ community. Sandip Agarwalla, Rotary International’s District (3141) governor, highlighted the salon as one of the many programs aimed at expanding the workforce through skill development and opportunity creation.
