Gather Your Courage And Move

Anjali Lama went from a bullied farm-girl to a transgender icon when she walked the ramp at Lakmé Fashion Week earlier this year.

- Chirag Mohanty Samal

Born as Nabin Waiba in the remote farming village of Nuwakot, Nepal, Anjali Lama never had it easy. The fifth of seven siblings, she was raised a boy and had four older brothers, but found it easier to relate to and bond with her two sisters. Often bullied at school for being ‘girl-like’, a confused Lama constantly battled inner doubts and humiliation to stay focused on the career choice that felt most natural to her: modelling. It took a lot of grit to survive the rejections and still keep trying out for assignments. But Lama kept going and after she had a sex reassignment surgery, the 32-year-old made history by becoming the first transgender person to walk the ramp at Lakmé Fashion Week (LFW) in January this year.

Tell us about your early years growing up in Nepal.

My village was located far from the city, and had neither electricity nor schools. The people there lacked education and ambition. With seven children to feed, my father had a tough time. My brothers tried to pitch in with farm work, but I always took an interest in household chores. People taunted me for spending time with the womenfolk and behaving like a girl. In school too, I befriended the girls easily and hung out with them. I was bullied for this. I was depressed, but did not give up studying. It took me four hours on foot every day to get to school and back, but I carried on because education seemed like the only way out.

When did you realise that there was something different about you?