No roof over head, Narikuravars and trans persons call bus stand home

Strangers assume we solicit, but we too dream of a dignified, decent life like others, says tribal woman

- KRITHIKA SRINIVASAN @ Villupuram

MEMBERS of the narikuravar and transgender communities, currently taking shelter in the New Bus Stand, continue to survive in dismal conditions as district authorities fail to provide adequate rehabilitation and welfare support in Villupuram.

Four to six families from the nomadic narikuravar tribe have called the bus stand home for nearly two generations, selling bead jewellery to passersby in a daily struggle to make ends meet. Their fragile existence is also shared by transgender individuals, the homeless, and people battling mental illness, all of whom are living without basic safety, dignity, or institutional support, the members said.