Can Taking A One Rupee Coin From A Kinnar Help You Attract Money In Life? Here's The Reality

I have believed in astrology for as long as I can think, all thanks to my family who has been obsessed with this study that correlates the astronomical positions of stars and planets and their effects on human lives. Over the years, I understood that most planetary positions aren't favourable for humans and to reduce the malefic effect of the planets on our lives, we performed astrological remedies.

Astrological remedies could be anything, from donating clothes to the needy to offering milk to Lord Shiva's idol in the temple or to wearing an emerald stone on your ring finger. Recently, I was recommended a strange remedy by an astrologer. He asked me to get green-coloured clothes and accessories and specifically asked me to distribute them among transgenders, usually found begging at red lights.

I was told that this one remedy worked like magic for everyone and ensured a smooth financial flow into our lives. On my way back, I wondered if it worked for real.

Interestingly, I had a visit planned to ActionAid India, an NGO working relentlessly for the rights of underprivileged sections of society. I happened to meet Mayuri Arora, a trans woman working with Deepshikha Samiti, working primarily for the health and safety of the trans community. As we sat for a chat, she shared some odd instances that left me appalled.

The Curious Case Of One Rupee Coin

From joining the chela community to living as a sex worker for two long years, Arora had a traumatic past, to say the least. She left her home at the age of 16 and ever since then has been bearing the brunt of being born as a transgender. During our conversation, Mayuri shared how the duplicity of society leaves her amazed. She shared that people often ask her to give a one rupee coin citing that it brings luck to them and they are willing to give any amount in return. Astrologically, putting this one rupee coin in the locker helps attract money. “People feel that if I give them a one rupee coin, they will get a lot of wealth. I remember I was in Haridwar once with a friend, an aged lady asked me to give her a one rupee coin and told me that she would give me ₹100 in return.”

“People really feel that taking a coin from us will help them solve all their problems. The trans community doesn’t hesitate to give people these one rupee coins. Some members of the trans community rub it on their payal and bangles to ensure the coin removes all the negativity from the life of the person,” she added.

Don't Miss: A Day In The Life Of Zoya, From Reporting As A Photojournalist To Begging On The Trains

Society’s Duplicity That Fails To Die Down

Even though the constitution of India entitles a transgender person to the same legal status as any other man or woman in the country, they struggle for even basic necessities. Roti, kadpa, makaan (food, cloth, shelter), majority of people who fall under the trans community fail to get access to these fundamental needs. Social exclusion and inequality towards the community majorly contribute to the challenges coming their way. There is a lack of jobs because most people just aren't 'comfortable' having a transgender at their workplace since they could be of 'bad influence'. Finding shelter is a struggle because of a lack of acceptance within society. No wonder transgenders aren't left with options other than indulging in sex work and begging to feed themselves.

Don't Miss: A Day In The Life Of Rudrani Chettri, A Trans Woman Doing Her Bit For Her Community In More Ways Than One

Our society doesn't hesitate a bit getting that 'lucky coin' from a transgender but finds it hard to treat them with dignity and offer an equal space. Two-facedness much?